Levy through farming groups just as unpopular as 'fart tax'

By AINSLEY THOMSON

Farmers have vowed to continue the fight against any levies for research into greenhouse gas emissions as the Government indicates it may drop the contentious flatulence tax.

Science Minister Pete Hodgson yesterday denied that the Government was retreating in the face of the farmers' revolt. It was simply looking at going back to its preferred policy of farming bodies, such as Fonterra, voluntarily levying farmers.

This had been the initial plan last year, but when the farming bodies indicated they would not collect the levy, the Government planned to pass legislation to impose the tax.

Mr Hodgson said he was aware of a number of farming bodies that were now discussing organising the voluntary funding.

The Government wants to raise about $8 million a year from farmers for research into agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

It is proposing a levy on livestock that would cost each farmer about $300 a year on average.

Mr Hodgson, who is in charge of climate change policy, said he would prefer "voluntary funding" from the sector and it was not too late for farmers to avoid the levy.

But he said the Government "most assuredly isn't backing down".

"We are saying that if farmers can get there without the need for legislation, then that is great by us."

Legislation will be passed at the end of the year if the farming organisations do not agree to raise the levy.

But Federated Farmers president Tom Lambie said farming organisations voluntarily gathering the levy was no more acceptable to his members than a tax imposed by legislation.