It’s been a good week to be down on the farm with two really nice titbits of news.
First, the increase in Fonterra's forecast payout.
And now the news the Government is backing away from some of the worst scenarios some have been painting on emissions trading.
Seems they've actually been listening, for a change.
Perhaps they're scared, not of losing votes, obviously, but maybe of getting into a bigger fight than they ever needed to with the rural sector.
Farmers aren't completely off the hook, but at least there's a few years now to decide how an emissions scheme is going to work, and what it will cost.
Forest and Bird isn't exactly jumping for joy, they sent out a not saying while this is a "step in the right direction", the change is far too slow.
Twitter and tweet chief Kevin Hague says all industries need to do everything they can to reduce emissions "right away.”
You'd expect Federated Farmers to be relieved and it sounds as if they are.
But climate change spokesman Andrew Hoggard makes a really good point and this applies surely across all industries when it comes to emissions.
He said this, "New Zealanders need to realise any reduction in emissions achieved here, will likely only be replaced with production in countries that have higher emissions per unit of output."
The ETS is a pretty blunt tool, so now the Government is going to work alongside farmers to design something more equitable.
The Greens are having to swallow a dead rat, but that's just tough.
Bottom line, and there's an intended fart tax pun there, our farmers are up there with the best in the world for efficiency.
And just as a by-the-by farming is our bread and butter.
Only a very stupid Govt would go and shoot the goose, which continues to lay golden eggs.
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