Auckland Federated Farmers have passed a remit calling for a national debate on whether New Zealand should withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
They argue that current climate policies unfairly penalise farmers while failing to target actual emissions sources.
The call was led by committee member Deborah Alexander and supported by former president Wendy Clark.
Alexander said New Zealand’s participation in the agreement had incentivised forestry on productive grazing land, distorting the carbon market and harming rural communities. “We’re not targeting the source,” she said. “We should be getting out of the Paris Agreement.”
John Sexton, former Auckland dairy chair, called the agricultural emissions narrative “nonsense,” claiming methane from ruminants contributes only a fraction of warming.
Both he and Alexander are founding members of the Methane Science Accord, which advocates for zero tax on ruminant methane.
Meat and Wool national chair Toby Williams welcomed the debate on a Paris exit. While not endorsing withdrawal, he said, “If we did, I wouldn’t be boohooing.”
Other speakers argued New Zealand’s efforts would have little global impact.
Auckland Meat and Wool chair Peter Anich criticised international obligations under the agreement, saying billions were being funnelled into the EU while polluting nations were not signed up. “Climate change is being caused by population growth, not farming,” he said.
Former Auckland policy manager Richard Gardner urged caution, warning the federation against taking too extreme a stance. “It looks as if [the Paris Agreement] is going to fall over anyway,” he said. “But if we take an extreme position, we could be targeted.”
The remit will be tabled at the federation’s national conference in Christchurch next month.
Centrist Ltd.