‘Laughing stock’: New Zealand roasted over plan to tax livestock for ‘belching and flatulence’
New Zealand has been mocked for a government plan to introduce a new tax on sheep and livestock for one gross reason.
New Zealand is being roasted over a “world-first” tax – on the nation’s livestock.
Under the so-called “burp tax”, from 2025 sheep and livestock farmers will be taxed for the methane emissions caused by their animal’s “belching and flatulence”.
The new rule is part of a plan to tackle climate change, with emissions from farm animals one of New Zealand’s top sources of greenhouse gases.
However, until now, agricultural emissions have been excluded from New Zealand’s emissions trading scheme, sparking criticism of the nation’s commitment to tackle global warming.
The plan is the first of its kind in the world, and will include incentives for farmers who slash emissions via feed additives.
“There is no question that we need to cut the amount of methane we are putting into the atmosphere, and an effective emissions pricing system for agriculture will play a key part in how we achieve that,” New Zealand Climate Change Minister James Shaw said, with a final decision on the scheme to be announced at the end of the year.
Proceeds from the scheme are set to be invested into research, development and advisory services to directly benefit farmers.
However, the tax has been panned by Sky News host Chris Smith, who labelled the neighbouring nation a “laughing stock”.
“In order to achieve their 2050 net zero promise – no matter what the world faces in terms of economic crisis, or the inability to keep their lights on – New Zealand has decided, ‘Too bad, time to put a price on that smelly methane,’” he said.
“Can you believe this stuff?”
New Zealand is home to around 26 million sheep and 10 million cattle, far outnumbering the nation’s five million human inhabitants.
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