Rural Women NZ Emissions Trading Scheme media release

Media Release

For immediate release

Rural Women New Zealand members have today called on the Government to delay implementation of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

At its national conference being held in Oamaru, delegates voted to urge the Government to more clearly assess the effects on New Zealand agriculture and rural communities before proceeding with the ETS.

“We are concerned that the imposition of this new tax will do little to control emissions, and that the revenue gathered will take much needed income away from the productive sector,” says Liz Evans, Rural Women New Zealand’s vice president.  “This will adversely impact on pastoral farming and rural communities with no proven advantage.”

Rural Women New Zealand wants to see research into the cause and effect of agricultural greenhouse gases in a New Zealand context completed and peer reviewed.

“While we welcome last week’s Budget announcement of $45 million over four years for the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, we feel that this research should be concluded before introducing an added tax on production.

“Introducing the Emissions Trading Scheme at this time is putting the cart before the horse,” says Mrs Evans.

“We are told that having an Emissions Trading Scheme is vital for trade, but Rural Women New Zealand members remain unconvinced, particularly as so many other countries have not gone ahead with similar schemes.”

For further information contact:

Liz Evans

Vice president, Rural Women New Zealand

021 724 809