ETS costs imminent for farmers

If  you think the Emissions Trading Scheme doesn’t apply to farming until 2015, think again, says ACT MP John Boscawen. From July 1 costs on most farms will rise by thousands of dollars due to an ETS induced 4c/litre rise in fuel prices, and a 5% hike in electricity charges. New Zealand now stands alone in implementing such a scheme and he says he would like to see farmers and the public protesting in the streets to persuade Government to ditch it. “Why are we penalising our farmers? Our farmers have enough problems competing internationally without this,” he told Rural News. “Look at Korea: it’s our second biggest market for beef but we face a 45% tariff on our exports there.” France’s recent reversal of its carbon tax plans, continued uncertainty over whether Australia will implement its version of an ETS, and Canada’s statement it will not honour its Kyoto commitments, all mean it would be madness for New Zealand to go it alone, says Boscawen. “This House was told time and time again last year that we would not lead the world; we would be a fast follower and our emissions trading scheme tax would be based on that in Australia. Yet, what has happened since then? Australia hasn’t passed an ETS tax and looks unlikely to do so and neither China nor the US has any intention of introducing one either… it’s crazy to continue to force this expensive experiment upon us.”