Thursday 21 August 2008

Trees bring relief over emissions

Independent Weekly
Friday 1/8/2008 Page: 18

Farmers can rest easy when it comes to tackling their carbon emissions, if at least 1 per cent of their property is covered in trees, said climate-change researcher Dr Richard Eckard. He told an information session at the Waite Research Centre that the scheme was only asking 1-5 per cent initially, which may well be covered by a riparian zone or landcare activity. He also discussed the options and impacts of the emissions trading scheme on agriculture, particularly for dairy farmers.

He said although the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme did not feature agriculture, a 2015 target had been set for the inclusion. Dr Eckard said the myth that the scheme could cost farmers a permit price of up to $120 per cow was incorrect, because the figure was also based on carbon neutrality. Apart from tree planting, reducing stock and nitrogen fertiliser use, Dr Eckard said options to reduce emissions in agriculture were limited.

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