4. Question No. 4—AgricultureTEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Minister of AgricultureQuestion No. 4—Agriculture4. TEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Minister of Agriculture: Does he stand by his statement that the Government looks to all sectors to pull their weight with the Emissions Reduction Plan"; if so does he believe agriculture will be pulling its weight over the first three emissions budget periods?Nicola Grigg: Hates farmers.SPEAKER: Order! Order! Which member—was that Nicola Grigg who interjected then?Nicola Grigg: Yes sir.SPEAKER: Right. That's not helpful especially given what happened yesterday. Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): Of course I do. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time and it is critical that all sectors play a part in reducing emissions so we can avoid the worst effects of climate change. This is particularly true for New Zealand's farmers and growers who are some of the most vulnerable in New Zealand to the effects of droughts floods and other direct effects of climate change. Another important reason why agriculture must look to reduce its emissions is market drivers offshore. Customers and consumers abroad are increasingly demanding products with low emissions and high sustainability. So New Zealand's continued ongoing economic strength built off our world-leading food and fibre sector is dependent on continued innovation and adaptation to a lower-emissions agricultural sector. Yes agriculture must play a part in reducing emissions and it is doing so through the emissions reduction plan announced on Monday which will see the sector on track to meet emissions budget targets. By 2025 we will continue to incentivise change by bringing in the world's first emissions pricing system for agriculture.Teanau Tuiono: What does he say to groups like Greenpeace and scientists who say that reducing herd sizes and phasing out synthetic fertiliser are major tools to reduce our emissions and protect the environment?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: There are two parts to that. In terms of nitrous oxide for example the Government brought in a maximum level of 190 kilograms per hectare of synthetic nitrogen that could be applied. The issue of methane biogenic methane nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide they all play a different part in the system they all have different life cycles and the Government's working on all these particular areas. The issue of stock numbers and stocking rates: it is simply not sensible to have a set figure per hectare across the variants of soil types of farming systems and of individual capabilities of the farmers. So we think we're doing the right thing in working with the industry.Teanau Tuiono: Is agriculture the only sector to receive funding from the climate emergency relief fund without contributing to the fund through the emissions trading scheme (ETS) revenue and if so what additional steps will be needed to ensure agriculture pulls its weight in reducing emissions?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: The primary sectors have earned this year over $50 billion in export earnings; they don't do that by paying no commitment and no funding to the ETS. Everything they do by way of fuel and energy means they contribute. So they have contributed a large part already to the ETS. What we're doing here is front-loading some funding for more research and development and to accelerate that knowledge into the hands of farmers to get it out there and to make sure that we will—a system to reduce the emissions over time. Agriculture has a big part to play. It will ramp up as those tools get into the hands of farmers.Mark Cameron: Does he stand by his statement in question time yesterday when he said he was a creating a "centre for climate action" and when will the new centre for climate change action group ensure that Bovaer is approved for use in New Zealand and if so when will that be?SPEAKER: One of the three questions.Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: Bovaer is a Dutch technology that is fed to animals about 12 times a day I am told. It doesn't suit with the New Zealand pastoral-based system. Also there's an issue of definition of "Is it a medicine or is it a fertiliser?" We're working through that. We will make the adjustments to allow that technology to be trialled but what happened previously when we used a technology like that dicyandiamide was applied to the pasture was then picked up as a residue offshore and put all our exports at risk. We don't want to run the risk of that happening again so we're being cautious in this area.Teanau Tuiono: Does he support stronger action on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser which has increased by over 600 percent since 1990 including a lower per hectare cap to reduce nitrous oxide emissions and prevent overstocking caused by artificial inputs that push farming beyond environmental limits?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: Nitrogen is a critical part of plant growth and has played a big part in the success of the New Zealand agricultural sector. Previously we've used legumes and clovers to fixate the nitrogen from the atmosphere into the ground. I believe that's a good sustainable way forward. We have used increasing levels of synthetic nitrogen. We have now put a cap on that and I think farmers are winding back their systems to be more sustainable into the future.Teanau Tuiono: What message if any did he give to the dairy sector about their role in reducing emissions at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Christchurch earlier this week and did this include a commitment to helping farms diversify sustainably?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: We've already rolled out from Government funding to support some research—a greater knowledge of regenerative farming systems. I pointed out to the reality that Nestlé want to source 50 percent of all their products from regenerative farming systems. I'm sure New Zealand will play a part in contributing to that supply chain in the future. Yes they have the messages from the market but they have systems that can't be shifted overnight. I'm sure and am confident that they will move to a better space to address the increasing demands of the consumers offshore.Kieran McAnulty: Does the Minister stand by his statement that the Government's plan has strong support from the primary sector "including Fonterra ANZSCO Ravensdown Silverfern Farms Ngāi Tahu Holdings and the Livestock Improvement Corporation. [That] this is a true partnership between Government industry and our rural communities"—SPEAKER: Order! Order! Order! Order! Rereading speeches purporting to be questions is out of order.Kieran McAnulty: I can do it from memory if you like.SPEAKER: The member will stand withdraw and apologise.Kieran McAnulty: I withdraw and apologise. Supplementary?SPEAKER: No.Kieran McAnulty: Mr Speaker?SPEAKER: No. No. The supplementary's been ruled out.Kieran McAnulty: Oh.SPEAKER: The member's just about ruled out too."