U.S. farmers fear tax on flatulent cows

The Toronto Star ^ | Dec 05, 2008 | Bob Johnson

[USMCPOP]

Oh, look, New Zealand:

[Lucky Dog]

…if the federal government decides to charge fees for air-polluting animals.

There are several unstated premises presented in this article:

That global warming can be controlled by something over which humans have control (unlike solar maxima and minima or orbital eccentricity, etc.).

That ruminants (animals with “multiple,” or “divided,” stomachs) produce more methane as a digestive by-product than other sources such as bogs or wetlands, etc.

That so-called, greenhouse gases such as methane have more than a minimal effect on global warming.

That domestic farm animals such as cattle are apparently responsible for producing more of the global total of methane than other ruminants such as giraffes, American Bison, European bison, yaks, water buffalo, deer, camels, alpacas, llamas, wildebeest, antelope, pronghorn, etc.

Of course, there are questions that remain:

Where was ruminant’s methane production impact on climate when buffalo roamed the American plains in such numbers that a single heard could stop a train for days while crossing the tracks?

What about the herds of antelope that filled the savannahs of Africa?

Even if the methane production from every human “controlled” ruminant was terminated tomorrow, where is the proof that there would be any impact on climate?

[Chewbacca]

Switch to raising buffalo.
No tax on buffalo.
Buffalo don’t fart. :)

[Eric Blair 2084]

[Iron Munro]

U.S. farmers fear tax on flatulent cows