Source: ACT Party
The Government has been getting it in both ears over new climate commitments it’s made under the Paris Agreement.
James Shaw and Jacinda Ardern signed us up to impossible targets. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is trying to make them workable.
As ACT’s Agriculture and Rural Communities spokesman, I’m writing to say: We’ve heard you.
As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, New Zealand is required to sign up to increasingly ambitious emissions targets. That’s what has led to the Climate Change Minister’s latest commitment.
However, ACT has heard serious concern over the economic impact of the Government’s commitment, including costs likely to be lumped on farmers.
Yesterday, the Herald interviewed David Seymour about the Paris Agreement:
We know New Zealand farmers are the most efficient in the world, and it does not make sense to reduce New Zealand food production only to see other less efficient farmers overseas picking up the slack.
In short, ACT is listening, and we encourage you to pass on your concerns to the Climate Change Minister and your local MP.
Meanwhile, ACT’s Ministers in the Government are delivering common sense, affordable policy in key areas that affect farmers such as replacing the handbrake that is the RMA, simplifying freshwater farm plans, and stopping the implementation of last Government’s attack on property rights with their directive on Significant Natural Areas. I’ve also lodged a member’s bill in Parliament’s ballot to stop councils from considering local emissions when granting resource consents.
ACT is determined not to sacrifice farmers and growers at the altar of the climate gods. There is more work to be done to return to common sense, and I hope we’ll have your support.