Now I know where . gmc . gets his wind from
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:56 pm
EU considers tax on cow’s farts | The Sun |Home Scotland|Scottish News
SCOTS farmers’ leaders were fuming last night over barmy EU plans to combat climate change — with a tax on cows’ FARTS.
Member states are considering the bizarre flatulence tariff of £75 per beast in a bid to bring gas emissions in line with Brussels rules.
Figures show that a single cow can emit up to four tons of methane a year by breaking wind.
And the farts and burps of farm livestock are estimated to make up 18 per cent of all greenhouse gas discharges.
But Scots Tory MEP Struan Stevenson last night urged ministers to to resist the moves as farmers feel the pinch in the recession.
He said: “It would be a catastrophic mistake. The Danish government is said to be considering a staggering £75 per cow tax.
“The government must avoid the temptation of flatulence tax. It would kill off our dairy and beef industries.”
The methane belched into the atmosphere is 24 TIMES more harmful than carbon dioxide.
And the output of one cow fares badly against just 2.7 tons of CO2 from the average car.
Mr Stevenson said countries faced costly fines for excess gases under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
But he branded those behind the plans in Denmark and Ireland — where a £12 per cow tax is proposed — “environmental fundamentalists”.
Penny Johnston of the National Farmers’ Union Scotland said a tax would only shift the problem.
She said: “Farmers cutting production would export the climate change issue — as food will still have to be produced elsewhere.
We told last year how Professor Harry McArdle, of Aberdeen’s Rowett Research Institute, is seeking a solution. He said: “We are examining cattle food capable of reducing methane output.”
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said they have “no plans” for the tax.
SCOTS farmers’ leaders were fuming last night over barmy EU plans to combat climate change — with a tax on cows’ FARTS.
Member states are considering the bizarre flatulence tariff of £75 per beast in a bid to bring gas emissions in line with Brussels rules.
Figures show that a single cow can emit up to four tons of methane a year by breaking wind.
And the farts and burps of farm livestock are estimated to make up 18 per cent of all greenhouse gas discharges.
But Scots Tory MEP Struan Stevenson last night urged ministers to to resist the moves as farmers feel the pinch in the recession.
He said: “It would be a catastrophic mistake. The Danish government is said to be considering a staggering £75 per cow tax.
“The government must avoid the temptation of flatulence tax. It would kill off our dairy and beef industries.”
The methane belched into the atmosphere is 24 TIMES more harmful than carbon dioxide.
And the output of one cow fares badly against just 2.7 tons of CO2 from the average car.
Mr Stevenson said countries faced costly fines for excess gases under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
But he branded those behind the plans in Denmark and Ireland — where a £12 per cow tax is proposed — “environmental fundamentalists”.
Penny Johnston of the National Farmers’ Union Scotland said a tax would only shift the problem.
She said: “Farmers cutting production would export the climate change issue — as food will still have to be produced elsewhere.
We told last year how Professor Harry McArdle, of Aberdeen’s Rowett Research Institute, is seeking a solution. He said: “We are examining cattle food capable of reducing methane output.”
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said they have “no plans” for the tax.