Australia-The cost of cattle carbon emissions.

AUSTRALIA-CARBON EMISSIONS.

Australia’s red meat processors say the Federal Government’s proposed emissions trading scheme will cost them an extra $65 million.

The government is today releasing its draft legislation for a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

As the scheme stands, meat processors will have to pay emissions costs from next year.

But Steve Martin, from the Australian Meat Industry Council, says the sector should be exempt until all agriculture is included from 2015.

He says the extra costs will be passed on to farmers.

"There is $65 million in costs in regards to this CPRS scheme, and if the cost of this increased tax on export charges is $32 million, they are the costs that need to go somewhere," he says.

"They either get absorbed by processors or rather get passed on back down the supply chain."