TVNZ presenter Simon Shepherd today has questioned Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor about the government’s announcement this week on reaching an agreement with farmers that they should pay for agricultural emissions.

But there’s no agreement on how the payment should be made, Mr Shepherd notes.

One proposal says farmers should pay a 5 per cent emissions tax. Another suggests farmers themselves design the new pricing scheme.

Agricultural emissions are the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand.

But first, Mr Shepherd raised the wide-ranging review of the Biosecurity Act.

Did this mean our border control is failing us?

No, it doesn’t the Minister replied – but a lot has changed in the 26 years since the Act was passed.

A transcript of the questions and answers can be found here.

Source: TVNZ