Country finds town in accord on levy

By MATHEW DEARNALEY

They kept their tractors at home, but farmers were in their element in Jafa-land yesterday, feeding out "flatulence tax" leaflets to city-slickers in shiny pants.

What was meant to be a static rally of more than 60 Federated Farmers conference-goers on a corner in downtown Auckland broke into an impromptu march up Queen St to the chant of "Farmers against the fart tax, yes, yes, yes".

"They were meant to stay still but I kind of lost control," joked federation public relations manager Jo McKenzie amid a bustle of placards.

Police Sergeant John Potts, last seen by the Herald arresting unionists at a waterfront picket, rushed to the scene, but decided against calling for reinforcements after finding the farmers in good humour and willing to keep moving in an orderly fashion.

The farmers were fired up by their previous day's conference clash with Minister of Agriculture Jim Sutton.

But, to a surprisingly receptive audience of townies, they admitted taking some licence with the way they presented the Government's proposed levy to pay for livestock emissions research.

"It's more of a burp tax," confided one, in reference to the main escape route of methane gas from ruminating animals.

Te Awamutu dairy farmer Kevin Wooding warned Aucklanders: "They'll be charging you for breathing next."

Other tax-raising suggestions were spelled out on placards.

"Why not a flatulence tax on insects? Start with the 'Bs' at the Beehive," said one.

And in a reference to the Government's intention to nationalise credits for the carbon storage capacity of forests: "Farmers say take research out of stolen sink credits."

Although farmers have posted dung to MPs and threatened to block Auckland motorways, those at yesterday's protest were more conciliatory, after taking heart over an opinion poll in their favour.

"We're a bit smarter than that because the people of New Zealand are on our side so why upset them," said Matamata Federated Farmers chairman Stewart Wadey.

A random telephone survey last week by One News-Colmar Brunton found 84 per cent of 1000 New Zealanders opposed taxing farmers for methane gas emissions and just 12 per cent supported the move.

The farmers found no shortage of people prepared to sign a petition, and received no abuse from onlookers, at least within earshot of the Herald.

"We support the farmers - they pay enough," said a woman shopper.

Another said there were more animals on the planet in past centuries "but we didn't have global-warming then".

Mr Sutton's office argued that the survey was based on a wrongly worded question, because farmers would not be taxed on emissions.

The proposed levy of 9c a sheep and 72c a cow is aimed at raising $8.4 million for research into reducing emissions from ruminants.