Rural Women New Zealand members have called on the Government to delay implementation of the emissions trading scheme (ETS).
At the organisation's national conference, being held in Oamaru this week, delegates voted to urge the Government to more clearly assess the effects on New Zealand agriculture and rural communities before proceeding with the ETS.
"We are concerned that the imposition of this new tax will do little to control emissions, and that the revenue gathered will take much needed income away from the productive sector.
This will adversely impact on pastoral farming and rural communities with no proven advantage," national vice-president Liz Evans said.
RWNZ wanted to see research into the cause and effect of agricultural greenhouse gases in a New Zealand context completed and peer reviewed.
"While we welcome last week's Budget announcement of $45 million over four years for the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, we feel that this research should be concluded before introducing an added tax on production.
"Introducing the emissions trading scheme at this time is putting the cart before the horse," she said.
The organisation's conference, which has attracted 215 delegates, finishes today, with National list MP Hekia Parata the final speaker.
