11. Question No. 11—AgricultureMARK CAMERON (ACT) to the Minister of AgricultureQuestion No. 11—Agriculture11. MARK CAMERON (ACT) to the Minister of Agriculture: Does she stand by the statement the Minister of Agriculture made in relation to the Government's agricultural emissions pricing proposals we've set a target of 10 percent reduction in methane by 2030. I think that is quite achievable with the existing technologies"; if so how many of those existing technologies are currently commercially available within New Zealand?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI (Acting Minister of Agriculture): In response to the first part of the question yes in the full context the statement was given. I stand by a 10 percent reduction in methane by 2030 being achievable through existing technology with some incentives from pricing. In terms of the second part of the question specific mitigation technologies commercially available now include low-methane sheep genetics the effluent pond treatment technology EcoPond and urease inhibitor - coated urea. We believe technology along with incentives from pricing will contribute significantly to meeting the legislated target of a 10 percent reduction in biogenic methane from 2017 levels by 2030. This work is not finalised and we are currently in consultation with industry and are focused on working alongside farmers in this regard.Mark Cameron: Can the Minister guarantee that these technologies will allow farmers to reduce emissions sufficient to avoid net revenue losses of 18 to 24 percent for sheep and beef and 6 to 7 percent for dairy as outlined on page 60 of the Government's pricing agricultural emissions consultation document?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: The figures modelled in the discussion document are based on a wide range of assumptions such as prices for emissions the efficacy cost and the availability of mitigation technologies and agriculture commodity prices. Production is not productivity. We have not made any decisions and Ministers will be reviewing submissions on the proposals and taking advice from officials.Mark Cameron: Is it fair that the Government will generate an estimated $140 million annual surplus from farmers when the Government's own consultation document shows that 65 percent of agricultural emission reductions will be leaked offshore to higher-emitting competitors who are not priced on their emissions?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: In the many recommendations that our partners presented this Government the ring-fencing of the levies to put back into technology was one of the very things that this Government has agreed to.Mark Cameron: How can the Minister guarantee farmer compliance with any agricultural emissions pricing set by this Government considering that Federated Farmers Beef + Lamb New Zealand Dairy New Zealand and Groundswell do not accept the Government's proposals?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: That's not accurate. In the proposal presented by majority the Government has accepted on behalf of the partners that have sat around the He Waka Eke Noa table. What we are getting out for consultation is seeking the views of farmers up and down the country on the two key issues around sequestration and pricing of emissions and I welcome those that are joining in to put the submission in."