Oh look at that – Cows in NZ emitting more pollution as El Nino bears down upon us
No matter what the question, National’s answer is always ‘More Cows’…
NZ cows set to emit far more climate pollution than Govt projected
Climate pollution from cows and sheep could be far higher over the coming decades than the Government’s most recent projections had estimated, according to criticism from the independent Climate Change Commission.
Last year, officials projected methane emissions from livestock and waste would fall by a quarter by 2050. This was virtually unchanged from the 2024 projections. However, between the two sets of calculations, the Government made a major policy decision, ruling out a price on agricultural emissions.
How is it possible that in 2024 officials calculated that a price on emissions would drive methane down a quarter over 25 years, but that a year later the same mark would be reached with no price at all?
Newsroom
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One of the arguments espoused by the Right in NZ is the economic myth of NZ Dairy and Agriculture.
We are told we have to accept higher food prices, legal monopolies, the vast amount of pollution and water use all because the Farmers create so much economic worth.
That is a myth.
New Zealand’s economic backbone not so strong
The farming sector is enjoying a boom time at the moment. Beef prices are experiencing a 60 year high, the farm gate milk price is almost $10/kgMS, wool prices have achieved a 10 year high, lamb is getting $2/kg more than last year and fruit prices are also strong. If the sector is the ‘backbone of the economy’, as is often claimed, then why is it that we are struggling to stand upright economically at the moment. Unemployment is sitting at 5.3% (over 11% for Māori and Pasifika) and households are generally struggling to make ends meet.
The problem with agriculture is that most New Zealanders get little value from the sector. While it earns around 85% (dairy is 30%) of our export income it only adds only 5% to our total GDP. It employs just 5% of the workforce and contributes a measly 1-3% of total tax income. The income generated mainly goes to the likes of Fonterra (15 staff earn over $1 million pa), various corporates (many overseas owned) and increasing equity for farm owners who pay minimal tax. Total farm debt was almost $65 billion at the end of 2025 that helped feed the $7.5 billion net profit for our Australian owned banks.
New Zealand exports are mainly raw and semi-processed goods sold in commodity markets and those buying them make even more money from adding further value. Our low level of productivity is partly because we do little manufacturing ourselves. We are rely on quantity over quality.
More and more of our agricultural production is now owned by overseas corporates that funnel profits off shore: 50% of our forestry cutting rights, 40% of wine production and 25% of our food and beverage manufacturing.
We need a completely different strategy moving forward.
There is such a crazy disconnect between this Government’s position on climate change and the reality that is about to hit us…
This El Niño is set to be the largest on record by a ‘mind-blowing margin’
Nature
…you might think Climate Change is a socialist hoax, but your insurance doesn’t…
…this Government has waged war against the climate, fast tracked mining, taking policy advice to kill off legal action and reduced methane targets.
So how will they explain this as El Niño peaks over NZ???
No amount of screaming woke removes the reality of climate change.
The enormous changes to the RMA will allow Ministers and their lobbyists to bypass all environmental regulations AS THE CLIMATE BURNS.
Do you really want Politicians who put property rights of their donors above your human rights as citizens?
You can’t hate vaccines, Jacinda, da trans, da Māoris and da Treaty this much to simply allow the Big Polluters to pollute more!
You just can’t!
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