ETS panel and Government listen to Federated Farmers

14 September 2011

ETS panel and Government listen to Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers sees many of the key points it has advocated for reflected in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) review panel’s report.

“It is good to get positive recognition that over the past 20 years, agriculture has reduced emissions per unit of product by 1.3 percent per annum,” says Dr William Rolleston, Federated Farmers Vice-President and its climate change spokesperson.

“What’s more farmers, through our industry levies, contribute around $18 million towards pastoral greenhouse research. We’re not sitting on our hands.

“The key challenge for any government planning to enrol biological emissions into the ETS is to address the economic and practical ramifications.

“Right now, the entire primary sector contributes some 70 percent of all the physical exports we sell in order to pay our way in the world.

“Farmers will be extremely pleased that Minister Smith has reaffirmed a pledge Government has given to Federated Farmers, that biological emissions will not be included in the ETS, if our trading partners do not follow suit.

“The Government is to be congratulated for this. It is also to be congratulated for recognising that farmers, despite the research investment, lack the practical means to reduce emissions.

“Any tools available are too variable or immature to meet the needs of farmers. Long term solutions, such as vaccines and genetics, are several decades away from commercial deployment.

“This is not thumbing our nose at an international commitment. It is a realistic and pragmatic assessment of the real world, where food security is emerging as a pressing global concern.

“Federated Farmers would like to see this policy commitment put into amending legislation after the General Election.

“Today’s review and the Government’s response to it, should provide farmers with a huge degree of confidence,” Dr Rolleston concluded.

ENDS

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