The Government has agreed to extend the amount of time farmers will have to provide feedback on the emissions pricing options developed by the He Waka Eke Noa partnership. The following information was emailed to farmers on 9 February.
- The consultation period will now close in late March – this means farmers now have an extra month to have their say on the options, either at a roadshow meeting or through the online form. (Consultation was previously scheduled to close on 1 March)
- The He Waka Eke Noa partnership will now provide its recommendations to Ministers by 31 May. (This has moved from 30 April)
This followed advocacy by B+LNZ, DairyNZ and other industry groups. We would have preferred longer but the Government advised a month was as long as they could do.
We know this is a challenging and uncertain time for farmers and it’s not ideal undertaking consultation at this time. However, we need to keep going with the consultation and find the right solution because of the Government’s legislative timeframe.
After we make our recommendation in May, the Government needs to consult the wider public later this year, before needing to make a final decision in December on a pricing system for agricultural emissions.
If an alternative to the ETS is agreed, then new legislation needs to be drafted and passed next year, and the scheme set up by 1 January 2025.
The legislation to bring agriculture into the ETS is already in place, so it’s important we work within these timeframes if we want to get an alternative across the line.
We remain committed to providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision, and to ensuring that you’re able to have your say.
Farmer safety is paramount and while we’re continuing to hold in-person meetings at this stage, we’re constantly reviewing this situation. As a result of the extension, B+LNZ and DairyNZ will be holding further online meetings in March to ensure we’re able to engage with as many farmers as possible on this important topic.
Key links:
- B+LNZ and DairyNZ summary of the options – an updated version of the brochure that was sent to farmers in December.
- Consultation document – the full document released by the He Waka Eke Noa partnership.