Taxation seems endless. New Zealand may soon have a variety of taxation options.
The country has made it clear that climate change is a problem. The milk and meat industries do a disservice in the area of prevention.
Therefore, change may be in the air: Having digested the problem, the government is prepared to institute a historic tax. As reported by Sky News, a new proposal would launch a duty on cow farts. Sheep would be scrutinized, too.
The nation has twice as many cattle as Kiwis and four times the number of sheep as citizens.
Nearly half of its total greenhouse gas emissions come from farming, mainly in the form of methane.
Farts had a pass in the past.
In the country’s earlier emissions trading system, agricultural emissions were exempted from being included. The government has been criticized for failing to reduce global warming.
The atmosphere has become as hot as a Dutch oven because of all the pollution.
In its 20 first years in the atmosphere, methane was 80 times more warming than carbon dioxide. It is therefore a powerful tool for reducing warming in the short term.
Taxes would also place financial burdens on burps and farts. Here are the biological implications.
More than 85% of New Zealand’s total methane emissions come from two agricultural sources: animal stomachs and animal manure, with the former accounting for 97% of that total.
In cows, most (95%) of the methane is exhaled, while 5% is emitted via flatulence.
According to the draft plan, co-created between government officials and farmers’ representatives, farmers will be required to start paying their dues in 2025.
James Shaw, Climate Change Minister, smells success
“There is no doubt that the atmospheric methane must be reduced. We can achieve this goal by creating an efficient emissions pricing system.
Flatulence is not the only problem that agriculturalists can help with. There are many ways to skin cats.
The proposal includes incentives for farmers to use feed additives to reduce their carbon emissions. However, farmers can offset their emissions by using feed additives. This proposal will generate revenue for research, development, and advisory services to farmers.
It is time for history to be made and New Zealand is taking a chance.
The proposal would be the first country in the world to tax farmers for emissions from livestock.
Gas taxes sound appealing. This could be used to raise money for households all over the world.
Even so, in New Zealand, what global difference might it make? The nation has a populace of only five million.
Beyond that, will farmers be able to afford it? If the tax on bovine farts causes too much of a strain, some may call it bull shit.
