New Zealand: Deer farmers flag GHG compliance costs

Climate change policy and the impact of costs imposed on their businesses is the main concern for deer farmers already under financial stress. This was the major topic of debate at the recent NZ Deer Farmers Association’s (NZDFA) South Canterbury-North Otago (SCNO) branch annual meeting in Geraldine. SCNO branch chair Mark Tapley said the issue has “profoundly affected our branch”. Tapley said the targets set in the current legislation are unrealistic and the science behind them is flawed. “Increasing compliance and costs will cripple our industry, which is already teetering on the edge.” The meeting included a presentation from DINZ environmental stewardship manager Luka Jansen, which sparked significant discussion about its economic impact on deer farmers, “who are already under considerable financial stress due to increasing operational costs”, Tapley said. “As the largest NZDFA branch in NZ, we are determined to lobby alongside other NZDFA branches and DINZ to ensure our ...