NZ flatulence tax outrages farmers

BBC ^ | 06/20/03

[nypokerface]

New Zealand's farmers have criticised a proposed tax on the flatulence emitted by their sheep and cattle.

The move is part of the Wellington government's action to meet its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol on global warming.

Scientists estimate that methane emitted by farm animals is responsible for more than half of the country's greenhouse gases.

Flatulence from cows, sheep and other ruminants is a serious environmental problem, accounting for about 15% of worldwide emissions of methane - one of the most potent of greenhouse gases.

Last year New Zealand signed up to the Kyoto Protocol, and agreed to reduce production of such gases.

The proposed flatulence tax is expected to raise NZ$8.4 million a year ($4.9 million) from next year.

The money is be used to fund research on agricultural emissions.

A public good?

However New Zealand farmers argue that taxpayers should pay for the research, because reducing the emissions benefits everyone.

"This decision is yet another example of the government's desire to act in the wider public interest but expecting rural New Zealand to pay for its largesse," Federated Farmers President Tom Lambie said.

Sheep, cattle, goats and deer produce large quantities of gas through belching and flatulence, as their multiple stomachs digest grass.

Ruminants are responsible for about 25% of the methane produced in Britain.

In countries with a large agricultural sector, the proportion is much higher. In New Zealand, farm animals produce 90% of methane emissions.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Grass to gas out the ..., oh well.

[Bahbah]

Hard to keep a poker face while reading this.

[kdmhcdcfld]

Is this a joke?

But, then again, we are talking about a treaty which emanated from the leftist wackos at the U.N.

[reagan_fanatic]

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind.

[LizardQueen]

If we lived there and they taxed people for this my husband would bankrupt us...

Whoops, "too much information"....

LQ

[LizardQueen]

If we lived there and they taxed people for this my husband would bankrupt us...

Whoops, "too much information"....

LQ

[Semper Paratus]

A fart tax. It' true, liberals will tax ANYthing.

[proud American in Canada]

"If we lived there and they taxed people for this my husband would bankrupt us...

Whoops, "too much information".... "


LOL! We promise not to tell your hubby, though. :)

[gov_bean_ counter]

Already done. Remember, Clinton raised the SS tax on old farts.

[Snuffington]

Flatulence from cows, sheep and other ruminants is a serious environmental problem...

There really needs to be some sort of sanity check for all political movements. I imagine the point where you start thinking farts are endangering the planet is a sort of signpost saying, "Thank you for visiting sanity. Please come again."

[xp38]

I'm beginning to feel I live on the Bizarro planet.

[alancarp]

And the tax helps solve the problem.... how? By further fueling longer-winded speeches in Parliament? I somehow doubt that it'll buy corks for the sheep & cows.

[gov_bean_ counter]

I somehow doubt that it'll buy corks for the sheep & cows.

All right. The Sammy Sosa solution.

[Free the USA]

fyi

[LizardQueen]

Whoops, too many posts, too. Sorry ;)

LQ

[boris]

Can we tax the hot air coming from the CA Legislature?

[msdrby]

LOL! You gotta be kidding!

[ctlpdad]

I wonder who will pay the tax for all the wild animals, etc.
I guess we owe a debt of gratitude to the dinosaurs for farting it up so we have an atmosphere.

[decimon]

Who gets the job of installing the gas meters?