GOVERNMENT LEADING RATHER THAN JUST TAXING Words by Antony Heywood : General Manager, Vegetables New Zealand Inc. A 2019 New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) report showed that in real terms, the price of produce has not changed in eight years. The price of food has gone up, but the farmer has not received any of the increase. With the costs associated with climate change, this situation needs to be addressed. If we do not have a diverse base of growers located in all regions of New Zealand, the price of food is likely to increase anyway. Fewer and larger growers will change the supply/demand balance, moving New Zealand away from a supply centric model. Moreover, what of food security? Covid-19 has shown us that it is important to have food grown in all regions of our country so that we can feed our people.
Current heating for greenhouses
Here is an idea – let’s get the government to lead climate change initiatives rather than imposing tax on climate change inputs. They could start by getting their own business to offset their emissions. Only the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) can stand up a take a bow – it has a carbon neutral policy and is actively driving this policy. What about other government departments? Climate change will have an effect on all New Zealanders. Moves to ensure the survival of our piece of the planet will increase the price of resources. When adapting to climate change, the biggest impact will be in agriculture. While not as significant as agriculture, horticulture will also be affected by climate change. The price of fertiliser will go up, so will the price of energy and fuel as well as the cost of compliance. Growers are currently absorbing this cost, but it is now at a tipping point. The price of food needs to go up to cover production cost increases. 70 NZGROWER : JUNE 2021
Climate change will have an effect on all New Zealanders. Moves to ensure the survival of our piece of the planet will increase the price of resources. When adapting to climate change, the biggest impact will be in agriculture. While not as significant as agriculture, horticulture will also be affected by climate change When it comes to being carbon neutral, it is easy to offset the carbon emission on air travel. Air New Zealand has carbon offsets – just click a button and pay some money. This offset is usually given to an organisation to plant and grow trees. A highly commendable practice. The other offset that is used is a carbon credit, like a certificate, which is traded on an international exchange – a certificate that allows some other country to grow trees or build a renewable solar energy farm.
