Marlborough Express

by Blair Ensor 23 April 2010

Agriculture Minister David Carter yesterday received an earful from Marlborough farmers outraged at agriculture being included in the emissions trading scheme (ETS).

The farmers waited for Mr Carter to finish a speech about the scheme at Meadowbank Station in Taylor Pass before unleashing a barrage of questions and statements.

Seddon farmer Michael Davison said he had been an avid supporter of the National Party all his life, but he would never vote for it again because of agriculture's inclusion in the scheme.

"This is bureaucratic bulls.... It's enough for me to sign off from National forever."

He then walked out on the meeting.

A Federated Farmers past president, David Dillon, said farmers were already struggling financially and the ETS would inflict more pain.

Dear Mr Key,

I have Attached an article printed in the local paper alerting the public to just exactly what ‘your’ Emissions Trading Tax Scheme means to the people. It is a travesty that you continue with ‘your’ ETS scheme. Why you as Prime Minister will not open your eyes and see the ramifications for all New Zealanders with your zest in continuing to have ‘your’ ETS scheme and the stupidity of having New Zealand as the only country in the OECD that includes agriculture.

At first 'your' ETS will only include energy (electricity, petrol and diesel) but by 2015 it will include ruminant animals. Sheep and Beef farmers will then start paying an estimated $5000 (not the $3000 you so glibly told farmers) increasing to an charge of $10,000 for an average farm annually. An average dairy farm is estimated to be double of these.

Federated Farmers Media Release 6 April 2010

John Boscawen MP, ACT New Zealand
Wednesday, May 5 2010.

ACT New Zealand Climate Change Spokesman John Boscawen today poured scorn upon Agriculture Minister David Carter’s claim at Mystery Creek that the Government needs to proceed with the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to avoid a potential trade backlash from Europe.