The dates for the He Waka Eke Noa roadshow were changed after I sent out the dates previously
To see the dates and to register (registration and a vaccine pass are required for entry)
Click on this link for a full list of dates and locations and follow the links to register. Note that events will be subject to COVID-19 requirements and could change –
The final consultation document is here https://hewakaekenoa.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Consultation-Document_Final-1.pdf
If you want to submit feedback you can do so here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HWENfeedback
He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) translates to “It’s a free rode” and that is exactly what they are proposing CO2 emitters will get at farmers’ expense.
The levy groups Dairy NZ and Beef and Lamb are driving this, Federated Farmers is rightly pulling back because it knows its members see he injustice of it. Dairy NZ and Beef and Lamb however are pushing ahead because they don’t really care what you think. They resist any proposal that they don’t think the Government wants and so are in effect designing a scheme the Government wants them too, not on that is scientifically sound, fair and effective. They are probably also looking forward to some of your emissions taxes coming their way in research funding.
As well as participating in the roadshow and submitting feedback you would do well to contact your representatives on Dairy NZ and Beef and Lamb and tell them how disgusted you are with them for selling farmers out.
The Climate Commission is very clear and states in its report that when methane emissions are stable the atmosphere is stable (in terms of methane) and we all know that when the atmosphere is stable temperatures do not increase. So, they state very clearly that our ruminant emissions are not causing temperature rises. The Climate Commission is also very clear that the reason it wants methane emissions to reduce is not because they cause warming but to offset CO2 emissions.
While reducing methane emissions to offset CO2 is scientifically dodgy, it that is what the Government wants to do then farmers should be demanding the Government provides then with the wherewith all to do that and compensates them for the cost. He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) should be a scheme in which farmers are paid if they reduce emissions. Instead it is going to be a scheme in which farmers pay whether they reduce emissions or not.
If farmers ending up having to pay for methane emissions despite the Climate Commissions statements it will be a travesty.
If you want to help prevent this travesty you can go to FARM website and make a donation so that we can get some material prepared for people to hand out at the meetings. Also if you are able to print your own copies of our material and are prepared to hand them out at meetings please let us know www.farmemissions.co.nz
As well as the fact that farmers should not have to pay for emissions, HWEN designers expect their scheme will cost farmers 5 to 6% of their income and reduce emissions by 1%, but the price is not set and will be determined one way or another by the Government.
The While some farmers might not be too concerned about losing 5 to 6% of their income they might be in for a shock when the Government puts the price up to whatever it wants
James Shaw is adamant that a price in agricultural gases “must be a significant driver of change “ and that a “serious price signal is the best tool the Government has to reduce emissions” and given that the 1% reduction won’t cut it presumably 5to 6% of your income is not serious enough for him. See https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300507316/climate-change-james-shaw-distances-himself-from-agricultural-emissions-group-proposals
Also for more comment and analysis from the great and impartial Stuff see https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/127643245/farmers-offering-to-pay-137m-for-their-greenhouse-pollution-is-that-fair
Farmer faced with a tax regardless of whether their emission go up or down, will not be motivated to reduce emissions. The only thing that will reduce them is if farmers can not afford the tax and so go out of business. That is the change James Shaw wants.