New Zealand cattle and sheep farmers protest “burp” tax

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – New Zealand cattle and sheep farmers have engaged in over 50 nationwide demonstrations, protesting the government’s proposed plans to tax climate-heating gasses that farm animals release when burping, Sky News reports.

Led by PM Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand government plans to tax gas emissions from the country’s 10 million beef and dairy cattle and 26 million sheep, Sky News said.

Farmers have taken their tractors and other vehicles to the roads in protest at the new tax, the cost of which the government claims farmers recover by charging a premium for climate-friendly products, Sky News reports.

“New Zealand’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,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement.

Ardern added that the money raised by the tax would be plowed back into the industry to fund new technology, research, and financial incentives for farmers to use technology that reduces sheep and cow burps, Sky News said. Farmers would begin paying the new levy in 2025 if it is approved.

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