Farmers in New Zealand could face a tax for the greenhouse gases their animals make.
On Tuesday, The Associated Press reported New Zealand’s government proposed the tax on the gases farm animals make from burping and peeing as a way to address climate change.
The government reportedly said farmers should be able to get the money back by charging more for climate-friendly products.
Farmers were quick to disapprove of the plan.
Federated Farmers, the main lobby group of the industry, claimed the plan would “rip the guts out of small-town New Zealand” and see farms being replaced with trees, as The Associated Press reported.
Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard explained, “Our plan was to keep farmers farming.”
According to Hoggard, farmers would be putting their farms up for sale “so fast you won’t even hear the dogs barking on the back of the ute (pickup truck) as they drive off.”
The outlet pointed out there are only 5 million people in New Zealand.
However, the country holds 10 million beef and dairy cattle and 26 million sheep.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country’s farmers are “set to be the first in the world to reduce agricultural emissions, positioning our biggest export market for the competitive advantage that brings in a world increasingly discerning about the provenance of their food.”
Opposition lawmakers argue the proposal would “increase worldwide emissions by moving farming to other countries that were less efficient at making food,” according to The Associated Press.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor declared farmers are “already experiencing the impact of climate change with more regular drought and flooding.”
He continued, “Taking the lead on agricultural emissions is both good for the environment and our economy.”
According to Reuters, the plan would go into effect in 2025.
