NEW ZEALAND-CARBON EMISSIONS FROM CATTLE.
FARMERS and livestock owners are joining together to fight against the inclusion of livestock agricultural emissions in any emission trading scheme.
Pastural Farming Climate Research Inc chairman Robin Grieve said the current model, being used by the Government to blame the emissions from livestock for 48.5 per cent of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions, was seriously flawed.
"The agricultural emissions they count are not real. They only exist within a theoretical climate science model that uses a multiplier to convert all carbon emissions to what they call carbon dioxide equivalents. This model bears no resemblance to what happens in reality," Mr Grieve said.
Mr Grieve said he believed that while climate science was an inexact science with many models and theories, at the end of the day the carbon cycle could not be changed to suit their models.
"Real science must prevail and real science states the models they use are wrong," he said.
The new organisation aims to promote livestock emissions as sustainable and not responsible for global warming. Funds raised from members will be used to fund an academic study of research to prove this. Mr Grieve has talked to many farmers who feel that blaming livestock is wrong.
"A study will settle this once and for all. It should be relatively easy to do and will either prove we are right, in which case the Government will have to drastically change their emission trading scheme or, in the unlikely event it proves us wrong, we will at least know that the scheme is fair."
Mr Grieve said there was no evidence to support the Government’s views.
"It will be a knockout match because they have nothing to counter our evidence. It will also be a huge benefit to New Zealand because 48.5 per cent of our theoretical greenhouse gas emissions will disappear overnight."
Robin Grieve, who retired from dairy farming to his avocado orchard near Whangarei, now only owns four cows of his own but became more and more annoyed at the folly of what the so-called experts were saying.
"I decided to stop chucking shoes at the television and do something about it.’’
He said he began by asking questions about carbon tax and global warming. "With each question that could not be answered I became more convinced that they have got it all wrong. I am convinced we can win this fight and that the best way to do it is to join together and take them head on."
Pastural Farming Climate Research is an incorporated society with membership costing $50. Already there has been a lot of interest with many paying their membership as well as a donation.
"We have also received donations from non-farmers because they feel the whole thing is wrong and they want to help," he said.
"The formula is simple: We want all farmers to join us so we have kept the membership fee low. The academic study is the main reason we need funds and while it won’t be cheap it will be a lot less than the millions of dollars that are being wasted currently on research to try and find a way to reduce agricultural emissions that do not need to be reduced. Farmers are paying for this now through their levies and we ask them to pay just another $50 and help us to win this fight. Once we have succeeded the other benefit will be the levies they pay will go to more useful things.
"The more members we have, the more the Government will have to listen to us."
Mr Grieve said the new Government had stated agricultural livestock emissions would be brought into its emission trading scheme.
"We have to fight this and we have to do it now, and we need as many supporters as possible."
Pastural Farming Climate Research is an internet-based society and more information can be found on the society’s website, www.farmcarbon.co.nz
Those without internet access can still support the society by writing to Robin Grieve at 165 Simons Rd, RD9 Whangarei or by phone, 0274 795 663.
