Farmers get wind of tax on livestock emissions

Farmers in New Zealand are enraged to learn they are to be charged a "flatulence tax" as part of the country's efforts to combat global warming. Greenhouse gases expelled by livestock are responsible for about half of New Zealand's emissions.

Farmers in New Zealand are enraged to learn they are to be charged a "flatulence tax" as part of the country's efforts to combat global warming. Greenhouse gases expelled by livestock are responsible for about half of New Zealand's emissions.

Now farmers will have to pay up to 72 cents (24p) per cow and nine cents (3p) per sheep to reflect the damage they cause to the environment. Deer and goat farmers will also be taxed.

The levy, expected to come into force next year, will help to fund research on ways for New Zealand to meet its commitment under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce harmful emissions. The work will be co-ordinated by a new group, the Agriculture Emissions Research body.

The tax is expected to cost the typical family farmer up to $300 (£100) a year. Jeff Grant, chairman of Meat New Zealand, called it "overkill" and said farmers were already suffering from a high dollar, low commodity prices and drought. "This is a public good rather than an industry good," he said. "It should be funded by the government, not farmers." Tom Lambie, president of Federated Farmers, said: "We are the only country to impose a levy like this."

Initially, pig and poultry farmers will be exempt, because their animals produce less than 1 per cent of agricultural emissions.