David Carter National Agriculture Spokesperson

24 July 2003

Govt still dodging farmers over flatulence tax

The Government is still refusing to face up to farmers furious about the controversial flatulence tax, says National Party agriculture spokesperson David Carter.

"Federated Farmers is running a series of meetings around the country - starting tonight - to discuss the tax, but not one Government Minister has said they'll front up.

"Agriculture Minister, Jim Sutton, has left the country and the silence from the Minister in charge of Climate Change, Pete Hodgson, is deafening.

"It's simply appalling that this Government is unable to find one Minister who's prepared to face up to farmers over this stupid tax.

"The Government promised consultation, yet Labour MPs refused to attend any of the recent MAF-organised meetings designed to do just that", says Mr Carter.

"Hundreds of farmers made a special efforts to attend these meetings to express their views but all they got was a few bureaucrats touting the Government's line.

"This so-called 'consultation' is a sham.

"I challenge the Government to show its face and front up to these meetings," says Mr Carter.

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