Govt urged to phase in HWEN costs

that by monitoring and reporting emissions, farmers will meet the requirements of processors and consumers.

FARMING leaders are calling for the phasing in of the He Waka Eke Noa agricultural pricing process, saying rushing legislation through before the general election will create issues and undermine the system’s credibility.

Several sector leaders said the policy’s complexity is causing delays that make it unlikely the farm-level emissions pricing scheme will be law before the October 14 election.

As at May 1, Parliament was scheduled to sit for 31 days.

Farmers Weekly has been told that a policy paper on He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) is yet to be considered by a cabinet committee, which acts as a forum to discuss and consider issues before they go before the cabinet.

Farming leaders are asking the government to agree to a dry run to test the process – a period when farmers monitor and record their greenhouse gas emissions but are not required to pay for them.

“Our position is that because of that uncertainty and complex detail still to be worked through, it is not appropriate to start pricing emissions by 2025,” Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland said.

Other industry leaders said

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said he remains committed to HWEN and to getting an effective emissions pricing system in place.

He said in a statement that decisions on emissions pricing are still being considered by the cabinet, that he is aware of the legislative timeframe and is working with farming leaders.

His focus has been on the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw said in a statement that he understands the frustration with the uncertainty around the process, but the government remains fully committed to the partnership.

Farmers Weekly has been told that O’Connor and Shaw are split on 10 to 12 issues within the HWEN policy.

The industry is seeking further details on how sequestration will work and aspects of emissions pricing.

Sources close to the issue, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said former prime minister Jacinda Ardern had a thorough grasp of HWEN and acted as a referee in disputes between the two ministers.

Her successor, Prime Minister

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