Controversy has risen out of the Federal Government’s consideration of joining an aspirational methane pledge that would see Australis commit to reducing methane emissions. Showing concern of the repercussions for the agriculture industry, spokespeople are coming out of the woodworks to have their say. 

The methane pledge was first created by US President Joe Biden, encouraging countries to commit to reducing global emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. 

While no formal commitments have been made by the government, Minister for Agriculture Murray Watts has expressed his interest in joining the pledge. 

The admission has raised the eyebrows of farmers after New Zealand proposed to cut reductions by taxing producers for their greenhouse gas emissions. 

National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) CEO Tony Mahar said the NFF is in talks to ensure farmers don’t meet a similar fate if the policy were implemented in Australia. 

“We’ve sought several assurances to guarantee that any decision to sign the pledge would not negatively impact farmers. These include: no new taxes or regulation on livestock methane; recognition of agriculture’s existing plans and progress; and ongoing support to develop technology-led solutions,” Mr Mahar said. 

“Australia’s farm sector has already reduced its emissions by 53% on 2005 levels. And our red meat sector – the largest emitter of methane – is planning to be carbon neutral by 2030,” he said. 

A statement from Farmers for Climate Action indicated that the network supported signing the methane pledge, with current agriculture progress being enough to reach the target. 

“Farmers have nothing to fear from the methane pledge and we encourage the government to sign it,” Farmers for Climate Action commented. 

Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud, however, was sceptical of the pledge. 

“The Government when in Opposition backed our move at Cop26 not to sign up to any pledge on methane because the science in the solution isn't quite there yet,” Mr Littleproud told ABC Radio. 

“We all want to reduce the emissions, it’s just the how,” he said. 

Some of the technology being explored to reduce emissions without taxing includes a genus of seaweed native to Australia called Asparagopsis that massively reduces methane emissions when fed to stock. 

According to studies from the developer of the technology FutureFeed, the seaweed showed a reduction in methane production of more than 95 per cent. 

The NSW Government added to the conversation that they will not support a tax to reduce methane emissions for farmers. 

NSW Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said that ongoing programs are working towards a similar goal, no tax necessary. 

“We are also collaborating with ANgus Australia, the university of New England and Meat and Livestock Australia on a $19 million research project that aims to identify cattle that have a low methane output through breeding values,” Mr Saunders said. 

“These sorts of programs will make a real difference to improving our climate and reducing emission, demonstrating you don’t need a great big new tax to reduce on-farm emissions,” he said. 

While no agreement has been made, discussions will likely grow ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in November.