Wellington: New Zealand is moving to tax livestock. The move aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. The project is expected to be implemented by 2025. This is the first time that a country has launched this type of program.
Studies have shown that cow dung is the main source of methane emissions from agriculture in the world. Methane, a greenhouse gas, is emitted through cow dung, urine and dung.
Agriculture accounts for half of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern said the money raised from the government’s cow tax will be funneled into the agricultural sector through the development of new technologies, research and incentives.
It has not been decided how much will be taxed. However, officials point out that farmers can recoup this amount through greener products. The Prime Minister said New Zealand farmers will be the first to take action to reduce gas emissions in the agricultural sector.
However, farmers have spoken out to protest the move to impose a tax on cows. They point out that dairy farmers will have to sell their cows.
The dairy sector is very important in the New Zealand economy. Dairy products are the most profitable export item in the country. The population of New Zealand is 50.08 lakh. However, the number of cattle is more than one crore. There are an estimated 2.6 million sheep in the country.
New Zealand has announced it will be carbon neutral by 2050 by controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions from the agricultural sector is important for the country. New Zealand aims to reduce agricultural methane emissions by 10% by 2030 and by 47% by 2050.
According to a study conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency, 9.6 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by agricultural activities. About 36 percent of total methane emissions come from cattle and dairy farms. There are an estimated 1.4 billion cows in the world. According to the researchers, each of these releases 500 liters of methane into the atmosphere each day through cow dung, urine and cow dung.
