Federated Farmers takes issue with emissions reduction target, heads to Wellington.
Federated Farmers has raised major concerns about the Government’s new climate target in a high-priority meeting with Ministers this week.
Climate Minister Simon Watts recently announced a 2035 climate target of a 51-55% emissions reduction for New Zealand.
“We have some very serious concerns about this target, and it was absolutely critical for us to meet with the Minister urgently to discuss them,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
“We met with the Climate Minister, as well as Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and rural MP Mike Butterick, in Wellington on February 10.
Langford says Federated Farmers used the meeting to query how the Government plans on meeting the 2035 target without planting hundreds of thousands of hectares in pine trees.
“We asked why the Climate Minister didn’t meet with Federated Farmers to understand our members views before setting this target.
“We also asked why the Government didn’t take a split-gas approach to our international targets, which would better reflect the science of methane.
“Lastly, we asked if the Government is still committed to changing our domestic methane targets following last year’s scientific review.
“I think it’s safe to say the Ministers heard our concerns loud and clear, and they now understand how deeply frustrated farmers are feeling.”
Langford says the Ministers gave assurances that the Government stands by its policy of banning whole-farm conversions to pine trees.
“They also assured us the review of our domestic methane reduction targets will continue as planned.
“Importantly, Minister Watts has committed to having a quarterly meeting with Federated Farmers to understand the views of our members.”
Despite the meeting being productive, Federated Farmers still have serious concerns about the climate target and how it might be achieved, Langford says.
“Farmers can rest assured we will keep engaging with the Government on behalf of our members.
“The Climate Minister will be meeting with the entire Federated Farmers Meat & Wool industry group later this week and I’m sure he’ll be hearing a lot more on this issue.”
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