The submission period was short and public information sessions
around the country were well attended by landowners seeking to
understand the implications of policy options presented by
Government to drive a reduction in agricultural emissions.
The Government option, which builds on recommendations made by
the Interim Climate Change Committee (ICCC) in its
report to the Ministry for the Environment (see
here), has been criticised by commentators from all sides. One
criticism has been that it is a 'Kyoto era solution for a Paris
era problem', referring to the urgent timeframes for reduction
agreed at the most recent climate talks in Paris last year. Against
this, primary sector leaders called for a different approach which
would allow a longer run up for individual farmers to adapt before
climate pricing is brought in, and would be largely industry-led.
This is set out in the Primary Sector Climate Change Commitment
(see here).
