United Future leader Peter Dunne is calling on New Zealand's
farming sector to match the Government's $45 million
contribution to the Global Research Alliance.
The money will add to an international fund for researching
greenhouse gases in the agricultural sector.
The New Zealand-led initiative will bring together public and
private researchers from some of the world's largest
economies.
Associate Climate Change Issues Minister Tim Groser said the
commitment was a significant step in boosting the profile of
agriculture greenhouse gas research internationally.
"Fourteen percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions are
from agriculture, but for New Zealand and parts of the
developing world, that figure is much higher.
There is an urgent need to develop technologies and practices
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon
sequestration in agriculture while enhancing food security,"
Mr Groser said.
Mr Dunne said the initiative would benefit scientists here,
but the $150m raised so far wouldn't go far in addressing the
huge challenge of mitigating methane emissions from ruminant
animals.
"As the New Zealand taxpayer is already committed to spending
$45 million on the project, it is only fair that the
agricultural sector at least matches that commitment," he
said.
Labour's climate change spokesman Charles Chauvel said the
global nature of the research fund inevitably meant New
Zealand wouldn't own the rights to any research created as a
result of the fund.
He criticised the Government for scrapping the $700m Fast
forward Fund announced by Labour last year for research,
development and innovation, saying it was a huge lost
opportunity to undertake agricultural research and retain
intellectual property.
Green Party climate change spokeswoman Jeanette Fitzsimons
said she was pleased with the announcement that New Zealand
would lead the Global Research Alliance.
She said it was more important that any intellectual property
resulting from research was used for common good rather than
profit.
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