New Zealand farmers face widening competitive gap on climate policy, says Beef + Lamb NZ report

A new report from Beef + Lamb New Zealand shows that NZ farmers face a widening competitive gap on climate policy compared to other countries. The analysis covers agricultural greenhouse gas targets, strategies, and policies in international jurisdictions, highlighting that NZ agriculture operates without subsidies while still meeting stringent emissions targets. Many competitors use large-scale public funding to incentivize farmers for environmental outcomes, and some have pulled back from previous climate targets. The report notes that NZ has already made several policy changes since 2023, including reducing the methane target and removing agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme. However, the author warns that a future government could reverse these decisions, worsening the sector's competitive position. The article calls for a sensible, non-ideological approach to climate mitigation that recognizes agriculture's economic contribution.