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US carbon policy provides fresh model for Australia

Story Added : 02nd July 2009

Queensland rural group AgForce says the United States legislative model for cutting emissions should spark a review of how Australia deals with agriculture in its carbon pollution reduction scheme.

AgForce Cattle spokesman Justin MacDonnell said the proposed US emissions laws, known as the Waxman climate bill, do not penalise agriculture but enable it to gain credits for reducing emissions.

That contrasts with the Australian Government’s proposed CPRS currently before the Senate which could have agriculture fully included in carbon accounting after 2015.

“The US bill is working its way through America’s legislative system, but its approach is pivotal and we would urge the Australian Government to revise its policy to similarly recognise that agriculture is part of the solution to climate change,” Mr MacDonnell said.

“The way America is proposing to deal with agriculture is the best news we’ve had so far in this whole carbon debate.

“Australia’s current approach under the CPRS is suicidal for agriculture and we urge Australian policy makers to have a close look at the US model.”
Recently returned from a global farm group summit in Copenhagen, Mr MacDonnell said international food producers were gobsmacked by the Australian Government’s approach.

“Farm groups at the International Federation of Agricultural Producers summit could hardly believe the Australian Government’s position – they were shocked by Australia’s CPRS proposal which would decimate viable farm businesses that are major exporters of food and fibre.”
With the US responsible for 30 percent of the world’s emissions, and Australia for only 1 percent, Mr MacDonnell said the policy that America takes to Copenhagen talks later this year will heavily influence the template for the future.

“At the end of the day, it will be the United States that sets the bar on this and it would be ludicrous for Australia to persist with a proposal which persecutes farmers,” he said.

“The Americans have come up with a practical approach in recognising that agriculture is part of the climate change solution because it is the only sector that can store significant amounts of carbon through its production processes.

“Under the US model, agriculture will still wear increased costs of inputs under an emissions trading regime, but it will also have an incentive to adopt environmental practices that provide carbon credits.”

Source; AgForce