Farmers meet with Greens on ETS

Federated Farmers representatives met with the Green Party this morning at 8am.

President, Don Nicolson; climate change spokesman, Frank Brenmuhl; environment spokesman, Lachlan McKenzie; and CEO, Conor English took the Federation’s position to Jeanette Fitzsimons before the party held caucus on whether or not to vote for the emissions trading scheme.

Mr Nicolson told the Greens, rushing into this proposal was a high risk response to the issue of climate change. He said the scheme would jeopardise the New Zealand economy and it would have little, if any chance of achieving the global environmental outcomes sought.

Ms Fitzsimons indicated to the Federation that the party still had an open mind on the decision.

Hundreds of Federated Farmers’ members emailed the Green Party over the weekend urging them not to support the scheme.