4. Question No. 4—AgricultureTEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Minister of AgricultureQuestion No. 4—Agriculture4. TEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Minister of Agriculture: Is he satisfied with the contribution the agriculture sector is making towards meeting the Government's emissions reduction targets; if not why not?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI (Acting Minister of Agriculture): On behalf of the Minister New Zealand is undertaking a world-leading task in identifying a way to price agricultural emissions. We knew it would be a challenging task and it is. In 2019 agriculture was proposed to enter the emissions trading scheme at the processor level but an agreement was made with the sector that they could develop an alternative pricing mechanism through the collaborative partnership appropriately called He Waka Eke Noa as we are all in this together. We appreciate the Green Party's support for this and on behalf of the Minister we acknowledge Minister Shaw's key role in coming to this agreement and his ongoing contribution to He Waka Eke Noa as the Minister of Climate Change. We have set this sector an ambitious objective and this is their chance to rise to that challenge. The new pricing mechanism must be designed to reduce emissions be practical to implement and be consistent with actions to reduce emissions by other sectors. Sector leaders have worked very hard over the last two years to design a new pricing mechanism that covers off how agriculture emissions will be priced how farmers will need to report their emissions and what secretions might be recognised. I am informed He Waka Eke Noa has already exceeded their first milestone. Approximately 60 percent of farms by the end of this year will know their annual total greenhouse gas emissions. This far exceeds the target of 25 percent by the end of the year and He Waka Eke Noa is on track to meet the milestone of one quarter having written plans to manage their emissions.Teanau Tuiono: Is he confident that the options presented yesterday by the He Waka Eke Noa partnership can deliver agricultural emissions reductions at the speed and scale required to meet the Government's level of ambition and if not why not?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: As the member has acknowledged the discussion document has only just been released and all sectors have been asked to meet these targets not just agriculture. The Government is working across the board and the Minister is satisfied with the work being undertaken by agriculture. I want to also acknowledge the Minister of Climate Change who is also doing a great job in coordinating this approach across all sectors.Teanau Tuiono: Is he concerned that New Zealand's international reputation on agriculture and climate change will be impacted if this sector does not tackle its emissions footprint quickly?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: It's too early to make that call. Like I said a discussion document is out there. We have every faith in our partners of He Waka Eke Noa that they are doing the right thing. They've put out the proposal. It's out for consultation and there are still decisions to be made by Ministers in the new year.Teanau Tuiono: Is he considering banning palm kernel expeller (PKE) imports as an emissions reduction measure; if not why not?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: As I've answered that question previously in this House the New Zealand Government will not support the importation that is linked to illegal activity in foreign nations. New Zealand businesses need to ensure the integrity of the supply chains and that they are operating consistently with the laws of the relevant country. The Ministry for Primary Industries and industry are working together to show farmers how they can farm without PKE. This work will continue. We are also leading the way in terms of our investment in regenerative agriculture.Teanau Tuiono: Does he have confidence that the ingenuity and innovation needed to thrive in a low emissions future is alive and well in New Zealand's farming sector?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: Pricing provides an incentive to reduce emissions. However it is only one part of a broad programme of work to reduce agricultural emissions. To help farmers reduce their emissions the Government is also investing in emissions mitigation technology and research and development. The Government has made significant investments in world-leading research on reducing agricultural emissions. In Budget 2021 the Government committed $24 million over four years towards agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation R & D.SPEAKER: Order! Before I call Sarah Pallett I just want to remind my friend in the gallery of the requirement to wear his mask. I think we do need to learn to wear masks and use our phones at the same time.