(COMTEX) B: Anti-flatulence tax upsets NZ farmers
B: Anti-flatulence tax upsets NZ farmers
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jul 16, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) --
New Zealand Federated Farmers held its annual conference this week in Auckland,
with members upset over a new anti- flatulence tax.
New Zealand Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton addressed the group but his remarks
were greeted by boos, hisses and frequent interruptions.
The New Zealand Herald said Sutton was greeted with several signs, one of which
read "Fight Against Ridiculous Taxes" -- FART for short -- illustrated by a rear
view of a cow with its tail raised.
The new federal tax on grazing animals is designed to finance research into
animal gas emissions. But farmers say they'll lie about their stock numbers or
just refuse to pay. Some have mailed packages of dung to Parliament.
The Herald said Sutton tried to explain the government's reasons for enacting
the tax, saying, "The temperature of the planet is climbing."
But from the back of the room, a farmer retorted, "It's colder now than in
1938!"
And every time Sutton uttered the words "levy" or "emissions charges" voices
hissed "tax!"
Copyright 2003 by United Press International.
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SUBJECT CODE: 04001000 06004000
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