Another Nail In The Coffin For Fart Tax

Tuesday 30 Sep 2003 Gerry Eckhoff Press Releases -- Rural -- ACT Rural Website

ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today described Russia's refusal to set a date for ratifying the Kyoto Protocol as excellent news for New Zealand's productive sector.

"Russia's reluctance to sign the protocol is another nail in the coffin for Climate Control Convenor Pete Hodgson's ill-conceived flatulence tax," Mr Eckhoff said.

"It appears the Kyoto Protocol, and by default, the methane tax, will die a natural death, thereby saving Labour the embarrassment of further back pedalling on the issue.

"More importantly, it will create the potential for New Zealand's forestry and farm forestry sector to sell its carbon credits to overseas interests. This will result in the creation of a new sustainable base for forestry in New Zealand.

"It is an interesting to note that United States citizens are purchasing carbon credits, despite that country not ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. There is now nothing to stop New Zealand farmers from benefiting from this developing trade.

"Labour has ignored farmers' property rights and stolen their carbon credits without a skerrick of compensation. This situation should now correct itself with farmers' retaining their own carbon credits for possible sale" Mr Eckhoff said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

© Scoop Media