Coalition claims new mandatory greenhouse gas emission reporting to hit farmers, supermarket shelves

Cash-strapped farmers fear they’ll be swept up by incoming requirements to declare greenhouse gas emissions produced by big companies.

Families already under financial pressure could be dealt an extra blow to the hip-pocket as tough new laws forcing big business to report their greenhouse gas output come into effect this month, with the Coalition claiming the impact will be felt on supermarket shelves.

Laws brought in by federal Labor requiring major Australian companies to report their emissions began on January 1, with Nationals leader David Littleproud confirming the Coalition would scrap them if elected.

The reporting mandates will be broadened in 2026 to include “scope three” emissions – which will require members of the supply chain of big business to have their emissions recorded – with the Coalition claiming those measures will force farmers to report their greenhouse gas output.

“We won’t be going ahead with this, we’ve made it clear we’ll abolish this,” Mr Littleproud told The Telegraph.

“It means a farmer will have to know what their emissions profile is … which is going to add even more to their administrative cost.”

Nationals leader David Littleproud (front) says the Coalition will abolish the reporting requirements as part of their election platform. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Federal Labor maintains small farming operations won’t be burdened by costly reporting obligations, with only large companies – such as those with $50 million in consolidated revenue over the financial year or 100 or more staff – to be directly affected.

A government document on the scope three measures states those declarations would only require information “that is available at the reporting date without undue cost or effort”.

Orange farmer and BiteRiot owner Fiona Hall is among the producers fearful new mandatory greenhouse emission reporting laws will add another financial burden on growers. Picture: Supplied

The Coalition maintains smaller operations will be swept up in the scope three emissions as members of the supply chain.

The United States under President Joe Biden dropped the scope three measures last year.

“When even the Biden administration walked away from this, you’ve got to ask why the Albanese government are persisting with it,” Mr Littleproud said.

The rules will also net major superannuation funds, raising concerns over whether the new administrative burden could result in fees being raised.

CEO of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, Mary Delahunty, welcomed the new reporting mandates, saying: “Australia is in catch-up mode with climate related reporting, so we welcome the introduction to bring this country in line with international standards”.

However Brian Marlow, the president of the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, said the measures were “adding another layer of bureaucratic complexity in a country where everything is already over regulated”.

“The net effect will always flow down to consumers. It means everyday goods have to become more expensive when the full impact of these policies start taking effect,” he said.

Orange farmer and BiteRiot owner Fiona Hall feared she would have to employ a full-time member of staff to adhere with the scope three reporting requirements.

“These requirements result in added administration and financial burden on growers, whose primary focus is growing premium produce for domestic and export markets sustainably,” Ms Hall said.