Media statement

For immediate release

Wednesday, 18 June 2003

United Future caucus rejects flatulence tax

United Future leader, Peter Dunne, says the party's caucus today decided to oppose the Government's proposed flatulence tax being imposed on the country's farmers.

"This is a silly, unnecessary imposition on farmers who underpin the living standards of all New Zealanders," he said.

"United Future opposed the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change ahead of our trading partners because it will handicap New Zealand in its trading efforts internationally.

"It follows that we also oppose this proposed discriminatory tax, which is not being applied to other producers of gases, like the owners of landfills that also produce methane gas.

"This is a badly thought-out tax grab, that owes a great deal more to political correctness than it does to sensible policy making."

Mr Dunne said the proposed tax would not need legislative change, but if the Government brought in legislation to force meat companies to collect the tax, then United Future would oppose it.

ends

© Scoop Media