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Co-leader James Shaw announced the party’s “Grow for the Future” plan.
“The reality is that the way we farm today is accelerating climate change,” he said.
The Greens say that agriculture is responsible for about half of all greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed $ 297 million dedicated farm fund would move farmers to low-emission agriculture with things like a tax on artificial fertilizers, strengthened animal welfare rules and a ban on palm kernel feeding.
“One thing that we’ve heard very clearly from farmers is that, yes, they want to reduce their environmental impact, but a lot of them are stuck in the current system.”
But while these farmers were gathering kale, other farmers say the Green Party is looking for a fight.
“It’s wrong, it’s wrong, they’re completely on another planet,” said Lloyd Downing, a Morrinsville dairy farmer.
Because when it comes to this planet, Downing says many farmers are already targeting a gold star.
“We produce the best and cheapest animal protein in the world, we have the lowest carbon footprint of any farmer in the world, and our rivers and streams are the cleanest in the developed world.”
He says palm kernels are a key carbohydrate food for cows and the fertilizer tax would be just another tax for farmers.
“Any cost to farmers is a problem. We live on the same income as ten years ago.”
He says it is not only a cost for farmers, but it is less money for distressed rural communities.
But the Greens say all the money is going back to farmers to support the transition and this plan combined with current government funding for river cleanup would equate to a billion dollars in support for cleaner agriculture.
“So it’s a small contribution to what is a massive farmer and grower support program,” Shaw said.
Some organic vegetable farmers say that all farmers can make sustainable changes.
“Moving further to an organic approach is definitely possible with the right mindset, so it works, so it’s just about going out and doing it,” said organic farmer Logan Kerr.
The Greens also say that current organic labeling and legislation is not strong enough and would receive a major overhaul as well.
But a bit like yam, the party plan is not acceptable to everyone.
