Prime Minister John Key has strongly advocated the Emissions Trading Scheme and urged Federated Farmers to think over New Zealand’s image as an environment caring country among global consumers.
Key, while speaking at the annual National Council meeting of Federated Farmers, said that New Zealand keeps a reputation of environment friendly country in the world and everyone must take environmental factors into consideration while doing their respective business.
The Prime Minister added, "While we, as a government, may have some sway over access to overseas markets, we can't force the consumers in those markets to buy our products if they think they do not measure up to their environmental standards.”
Meanwhile, the farming lobby seems in no mood to withdraw their protest against inclusion of agriculture in the ETS. Their protest registered momentum as Australian government has decided to exclude Australian farmers under the provisions of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, the Australia equivalent in New Zeeland.
Asking for support from Federated Farmers to mitigate problems in meat industry, Mr. Key added, "There is only so much the Government can do to meet the challenges we face in our economy and that you face in your industry. The future of agriculture is not just up to us. In so many ways, that future is in your hands."