Groundswell New Zealand co-founder Bryce McKenzie was referring to the world-first scheme that will require farmers to pay for agricultural emissions in some form by 2025 which went out for consultation this week. Groundswell has always said it stood against unworkable regulations that were impacting the rural sector. Since the government's emissions announcement on Tuesday, phones had been ringing red hot and the protest would be held "in the very near future", the West Otago farmer said. Westpac senior agri-economist Nathan Penny said imposing charges on agriculture emissions - particularly for sheep and beef farmers - would end up costing consumers. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has described it as a "pragmatic proposal" that would reduce agricultural emissions while making produce more sustainable and enhancing the "export brand".

Source: Stuff October 13, 2022 09:33 UTC