Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: SAFE For Animals
The agriculture sector’s plan to avoid the emissions trading scheme relies on band-aid solutions and unproven technologies and neglects the destructive impacts of intensive dairy farming in Aotearoa.
Deer, sheep and beef farms will face the greatest impact from He Waka Eke Noa, which is disproportionate to the impacts of dairy farming on the environment.
SAFE Campaigns Officer Emma Brodie said Aotearoa’s biggest climate polluter shouldn’t get a free pass.
“It is disgraceful to allow Aotearoa’s most polluting industries to dictate their own environmental regulations”
“We are in the midst of a climate emergency, we needed bold action yesterday. This Government must lead the way to ensure the wellbeing of our animals, our planet and that of future generations.”
The dairy industry is the country’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, producing more emissions than the transport sector combined. If implemented, He Waka Eke Noa would only reduce methane emissions by between 4 and 5.5 per cent.
Dairy production causes more damage to our waterways than any other industry. Due to Waste run-off and nitrate leaching, 82 per cent of rivers in farming areas are unfit for swimming. Dairy is also responsible for the death of millions of animals every year, many of them only days old.
Recent research from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows the global climate catastrophe cannot be averted without a radical shift away from meat and dairy. This week, Governments are being urged to transition to plant-based food as a survival imperative at an international climate summit in Germany.
“Animal agriculture, particularly intensive dairy farming, is simply not compatible with sustainability. We’re calling on the Government to create a plan of action which supports farmers out of the sector into more sustainable farming systems and industries.”
“The only meaningful way to reduce agricultural emissions is to reduce animal agriculture.”
SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.
We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.
– The Dairy industry is the country’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, producing more than the transport sector. Per capita, Aotearoa is one of the largest methane emitters in the world.
– Dairy production causes more damage to our waterways than any other industry. Waste run-off and nitrate leaching is suffocating our waterways and as a result, 82% of rivers in farming areas are unfit for swimming. The dairy industry’s high use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser is endangering our native bird and fish populations and contaminating our drinking water. Up to 800,000 Kiwis may be at a greater risk of bowel cancer due to nitrates in water, and 76% of our native freshwater fish are threatened or at risk of extinction.
– The dairy industry is responsible for the death of millions of New Zealand’s animals, many of them only days old. Milk production is only possible through the separation and slaughter of newborn calves. Aotearoa is a nation of animal lovers and Kiwis are looking to the Government to forge a future where our primary industries do not depend on the exploitation of animals and our environment.
– Our dairy farmers are struggling under an increasingly industrialised form of production which is pushing them to their limits. Dairy farmers collectively hold around $40 billion of debt. This financial pressure will only increase as the climate crisis worsens and as animal-free dairy proteins hit the global market.
– Recently, the Netherlands initiated a plan to support farmers and reduce the impact of intensive animal agriculture. Farmers will have access to a buy-out scheme to either exit the industry or transition to more sustainable farming systems.
