4 February 2002

PR11/02

FFNZ Kyoto Survey Results backed by Experience

Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc) Chief Executive Tony St Clair says the over whelming response to the Federation's climate change survey is backed by his meetings with farmers in Southern Hawkes Bay last week.

"I spent two days meeting with farmers last week and by far their greatest concern was the Government's response to the Kyoto Protocol," said Mr St Clair. "This experience reinforced the strength of farmers' concerns about the Government's approach to the Kyoto Protocol as expressed in the Federation's recent climate change survey."

96% of farmers surveyed oppose the Government ratifying the Kyoto Protocol without having first worked out its strategy to meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.

The response to the Climate Change survey was the greatest response ever to one of the Federation's member surveys.

"Far from promoting inaction on Climate Change, the Federation is urging Government to address farmer's concerns before prematurely ratify the Kyoto Protocol," concluded Mr St Clair.

ENDS

For more information: Tony St Clair PH 04 473 7269 or John Pask PH 04 473 7269

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