LUKE Pepper says the Government’s latest agricultural emissions policies could doom towns like Taumarunui. PHOTO SUPPLIED
RUAPEHU Federated Farmers president Luke Pepper is rallying residents of his district against the Government’s recently announced agricultural emissions plan. He has challenged Federated Farmers members, other non-aligned farmers, business people, and members of the public to discuss the issue at the Taumarunui RSA on Thursday next week (October 27). Luke said the main point he wished to make at the 6.30pm meeting was that the Ruapehu District must not become a sacrificial lamb for the Government’s agricultural emissions policies. Long term, they had the potential to cripple the economies of small towns such as Taumarunui, he said. “The Government’s own modelling shows the impact of this will reduce dairy numbers by 5% and sheep and beef numbers by a whopping 20%. And all this anxiety [has been generated] so we can claim we have saved 0.17% of total global emissions. COLLATERAL DAMAGE “Farmers want to play their part and most have already started, but if sheep and beef numbers are reduced by 20%, what then for towns like Taumarunui when 98% of farms will be affected? “Are we expected to see our farms planted out in even more carbon forests for big businesses based here and overseas to keep polluting, while shops and service industries in our rural towns close? “We don’t need to become collateral damage for the rest of the country just because we are too good at farming our beautiful hills. “As I see it, if 20% of our stock goes so will our population, everyone will be affected, including shearers, fencers, tradies, and so on. Property values will drop and this will leave less ratepayers for the same area to contend with. This will equal rate rises for those that are left to pick up the pieces and reminisce about what a great place it used to be.” Luke said he had deliberately adopted a serious tone because the previous two years had exhausted the “nice guy” approach of sitting around boardroom tables and holding discussions with politicians in an attempt to get proper solutions on these issues. “I believe the only way out now is to make submissions, protest and apply public pressure. So come to the RSA and learn how to save our farms and our town.”
