New Zealand Pastural Farming Climate Research

Promoting livestock methane emissions as sustainable and not responsible for global warming and advocating fairness for agricultural producers under any carbon emission laws or regulations.

He Waka Eke Noa meetings start next week.

By

Newsletter from FARM (Facts About Ruminant Methane):  This is a long letter but an important one.  Please read carefully.

We encourage you to attend the famer meetings scheduled for February 2022 run by Beef and Lamb and DairyNZ..  See below for venues and times.

The purpose of this newsletter is to:

  1. Explain our position

 

  1. Try and explain what is going to be discussed at the round of meetings over Feb.

 

  1. Tell you why we think this is a complicated, political and unscientific approach

 

  1. What we think should happen and why with questions you can ask.

 

  1. Provide you with ideas and ammunition for meetings

 

  1. See statement by scientists who are assisting us

 

 

  1. Our position:

 

  1. The science is certainly not settled on the impact of methane on global temperatures. See statement by leading scientists below.

 

  1. The Climate Commission’s position is very clear that when ruminant methane emissions are stable, as they have been for 15 years in NZ, so is the atmospheric concentration of methane and there is no additional warming. Methane lasts around 10 years and disappears. Farmers are only replacing what is lost.

 

  1. Farmers should not have to pay for emissions which do not cause an increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas or warming.

 

  1. The Commission is also very clear that the only reason it gives for reducing methane emissions is to offset CO2 emissions.

 

  1. Foresters get paid to offset CO2 emissions and so should farmers.

 

  1. He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) means in English Its a free ride, and that is exactly what it is going to result in for CO2 emitters if their recommendations are adopted.

 

 

  1. Explanation of what HWEN is suggesting at the Feb meetings

 

He Waka Eke Noa has come up with two broad options:

  1. Farm-level levy
    2. Processor-level hybrid levy.

The alternative to these options is the ‘Backstop’ – Agriculture in the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme.

The features of 1. the Farm-level Levy are:

  • Emissions are calculated at farm level using farm-specific data.
  • A split-gas approach to pricing would be applied, which means that different levy rates would apply to short- (methane) and long-lived (nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide) gases.
  • Rewards eligible on-farm sequestration and can offset some of the cost of the emissions levy.
  • Any revenue raised through the levy would be invested back into the agricultural sector to generate further emissions reductions through research and development.

The features of 2 – the Processor-level hybrid levy:

  • Emissions are calculated at the meat, milk, and fertiliser processor level, based on the quantity of product received from farms, or in the case of fertiliser, sold to farms.
  • Processors would likely pass on the cost to farms based on the quantity of product processed, or fertiliser bought.
  • A split-gas approach to pricing would be applied, which means that different levy rates would apply to short- and long-lived gases.
  • Farms (individually or in collectives) could choose to enter into an Emissions Management Contract (EMC) to get a payment for reducing emissions and/or for recognising sequestration on-farm.
  • Any revenue raised through the levy would be invested back into the agricultural sector to generate further emissions reductions through research and development, incentives to uptake technology, or to reward actions on-farm that help reduce emissions. One option considered for revenue recycling is an EMC.

 

 

 

  1. What’s wrong with the HWEN/Beef and Lamb/DairyNZ recommendations.

 

  • Confused and confusing. Try following what they are suggesting.  Too many unknowns.
  • They involve expensive and bureaucratic processes including farm measurements of methane which are inaccurate and wildly variable. You can’t tax what you can’t measure.
  • Avoids finalising targets opening the door for tougher measures.
  • Sequestering recommendations are inequitable and bureaucratic
  • Where is Federated Farmer’s contribution? Conspicuous by its absence.

 

  1. What we think and questions you can ask.

Possible Questions:

  • Given NZ has only 1% of the world’s ruminants and ruminants are responsibly for just 14% of all methane emissions and methane is responsible for just 15% of measured 1 degree of warming to date isn’t it accurate to state that we are making a symbolic gesture for political purposes only?
  • Reducing my livestock numbers by 15% halves my profits and my production when the Paris Accord says no measures should be taken that reduce food production – why should I cooperate?
  • People need to be fed. If we don’t feed them with the lowest carbon footprint in the world isn’t another country going to replace our production causing emissions to rise not fall?
  • Shouldn’t any taxing system be based on actual warming increases not just methane emissions?
  • Why are you persisting with a CO2 equivalent system when you say you have adopted a ‘split gas’ approach?
  • If we adopt the farm by farm levy option what will be the administration costs per farm of such a scheme?
  • Farmers who have had professional analysis carried out on their farm for calculating their property’s methane emissions and state they varies by 35%. How can we have any faith in a measuring system that is not accurate and pay levies knowing they may be out by over a third?

 

  1. Ideas for taking action.

 

  1. Attend at least one meeting

 

  1. Do some homework before the meeting so you can participate

 

  1. Get some support from other farmers who will work with you and support you

 

  1. Prepare some questions to ask and insist on an adequate answer.

 

  1. Email  ojenn@xtra.co.nz or josexton@xtra.co.nz and ask for handouts you can distribute prior to the meeting. Send us $50 to help pay for materials.

 

  1. Go to farmemissions.co.nz for more ammo and ideas

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Quote from our supporting scientists

“All ruminant methane is much less than 1 part per 3.5 million parts.  Because methane’s total radiation contribution is less than 0.02% of all greenhouse gases, we the undersigned do declare that the temperature effect of ruminant methane is indeed minuscule in the atmosphere (less than 0.0004 0C per 100 years).  We also state that because ruminant methane is less than 0.0001%, its contribution to weather in winds, storms, hurricanes and more, is so minute to be unmeasurable.

Signed

Dr Jock Allison, PhD., ONZM, FNZIPIM

Professor Emeritus Dr Geoff Duffy DEng, PhD, BSc, ASTC Dip., FRSNZ, FIChemE

Dr Tom Sheahen  B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Etc

etc

 

 

Roadshow dates and locations 

Please note: events may be subject to COVID-19 requirements and could change. You will need to register at https://beeflambnz.com/emissions-pricing-roadshow

Taranaki

New Plymouth 1 February 2022, 12.30–2.30pm Plymouth International, 220 Courtenay Street, New Plymouth
Hawera 3 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm TSB Hub, Camberwell Road, Hawera

Manawatu

Palmerston North 1 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Awapuni Racecourse, Silks Lounge, 67 Racecourse Road, Palmerston North
Whanganui 4 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Concert Chamber, Whanganui War Memorial Centre, Watt Street, Whanganui
Dannevirke (NEW) 9 February 2022, 1–3pm Dannevirke Services and Citizens Club, 1 Princess Street, Dannevirke

Wairarapa

Masterton 4 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Copthorne Solway Park, High Street, Masterton

Waikato/Hamilton

Pokeno/Te Kauwhata 8 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Kauwhata Rugby Club, The Domain, Mahi Road, Te Kauwhata
Te Kuiti (NEW) 9 February 2022, 2.30–4.30pm Les Munro Centre, 8 King Street East, Te Kuiti
Te Awamutu 10 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Te Awamutu Bible Chapel, 110 Chapel Drive, Te Awamutu
Morrinsville 11 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Morrinsville Rotary Community Centre Hall (previously Senior Citizens Hall), 45 Canada Street, Morrinsville

Bay of Plenty

Rotorua 10 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Te Puna Aroha room  Holiday Inn Rotorua, 10 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua
Edgecumbe 11 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Edgecumbe War Memorial Hall, 2 Kauri Street, Edgecumbe

Northland

Whangārei 8 February 2022, 12.30–2.30pm Kamo Golf Club, Meldrum Street, Kamo, Whangārei
Wellsford (NEW) 8 February 2022, 4–6pm Wellsford Memorial RSA, 1 Olympus Road, Wellsford

Hawke’s Bay

Napier 28 February 2022, 11.30am–2pm Napier Memorial Conference Centre 48 Marine Parade, Napier

 

East Coast

Gisborne 28 February 2022, 7–9pm Emerald Hotel 13 Gladstone Road, Gisborne

 

Otago

Milton 17 February 2022, 12.30–2.30pm Toko Rugby Club, Union Street, Milton
Alexandra 18 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Cellar Door Alexandra, 143 Centennial Avenue, Alexandra
Oamaru 25 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Oamaru Opera House, 94 Thames Street, Oamaru

Tasman

Nelson/Richmond 22 February 2022, 12.30–2.30pm Saxtons – Netball Pavilion, 142 Saxton Road East, Stoke

 

Marlborough

Blenheim 23 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Clubs of Marlborough, 42 Alfred Street, Blenheim

 

Southland

Winton 17 February 2022, 12.30–2.30pm Winton Salvation Army Community Centre, 7 deJoux Road, Winton
Gore 18 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Gore Districts RSA, 12 Bowler Avenue, Gore

Canterbury

Kaikoura (NEW) 21 February 2022, 7–9pm Kaikoura
Rakaia Gorge (NEW) 21 February 2022, 12pm–2.30pm 546 High Peak Road, RD2, Darfield
Amberley 22 February 2022, 12.30–2.30pm Amberely Pavillion, Douglas Road, Amberley
Ashburton 23 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Ashburton Trust Events Centre, 211 Wills Street, Ashburton
Timaru 24 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Caroline Bay Hall  – Caroline Bay Timaru
Twizel (NEW) 24 February 2022, 4–6pm Twizel Events Centre, Market Place, Twizel

West Coast

Westport 24 February 2022, 12–2pm NBS Theatre, 105 Palmerston Street, Westport
Hokitika 25 February 2022, 10.30am–12.30pm Regent Theatre Hokitika, 23 Weld Street, Hokitika

Webinars (NEW)

Online webinar 3 February 2022, 7-8.30pm
Online webinar 10 February 2022, 7–8.30pm
Online webinar 17 February 2022, 7–8.30pm
Online webinar 24 February 2022, 7–8.30pm

Covid-19 Protection Framework

This event is operating under a red traffic light – all attendees will be required to show their My Vaccine Pass on the day. This is the official record of your COVID-19 vaccination status (you can request a My Vaccine Pass if you’ve had two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in New Zealand, or had an approved vaccination overseas or have a medical exemption).

At the event, we will also require you to maintain 1m physical distancing from other attendees and you must record your attendance through the B+LNZ attendance register on the day and scan the COVID-19 QR code for the venue.

If you have cold or flu symptoms or are awaiting the results from a COVID-19 test, please stay at home.