Joining more than 120 countries in signing the Global Methane Pledge will help ensure ongoing access to international markets for Australia's $24 billion livestock and dairy industry.
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said today's announcement by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen that Australia will sign the pledge, meant we will contribute to a collective ambition among signatory countries to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
"This is a non-binding goal that is already accepted by over 120 countries, including some of the biggest beef producing countries in the world," Minister Watt said.
"By signing the pledge, we are putting Australia's ag sector on a level playing field with our trade competitors.
"Increasingly our trading partners are wanting to do deals with countries that demonstrate a stronger commitment to sustainability.
"By investing in new technologies such as feed supplements, the industry can remain internationally competitive.
"Today's signing shows our trade partners we can still produce the best food in the world, all while being environmentally responsible.
"Despite the same tired old National Party scare campaigns, red meat producers are already ahead of the curve, reducing their emissions by 59% since 2005.
"In addition, industry has already committed itself to carbon neutral meat production by 2030 and is well on the way to achieve those goals.
"We're backing industry, having made clear the pledge does not require reduced herd sizes and we will not legislate taxes or levies to reduce livestock emissions.
"As we have seen with the recent floods, our farmers are on the frontline for the impacts of climate change.
"In fact, the most recent ABARES modelling estimates that changes in seasonal conditions have reduced annual average farm profits by 23%, or around $29,200 per farm, from 2001 to 2020.
"It's about time Australian agriculture had a government that's catching up to industry's ambitions for a more sustainable future."
Industry comments:
FIONA SIMSON, PRESIDENT NATIONAL FARMERS FEDERATION:
"Signing the pledge signals Australia's voluntary commitment to participation in global action on methane emissions.
"For agriculture it will reinforce our demonstrated commitment to sustainability and ongoing access key markets as an export orientated sector.
"Farmers are already leading the charge on climate action in Australia and have earned a seat at the table and the strong assurances and partnership provided by government mean the pledge will not negatively impact on farmers or the agriculture sector."
JOHN MCGOVERNE, CEO CATTLE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA:
"We are supportive of the Commonwealth signing up to the pledge, provided there are no new taxes or reduction of herd numbers.
"The Australian beef industry is already on track to reach net zero emissions without reducing livestock numbers.
"Millions in cattle levies have been invested in new feed additives that significantly reduce methane emissions including asparagopsis, or pink seaweed, which can cut emissions by more than 90%.
"These kinds of technologies will encourage producers to get involved and they should be rewarded for their effort."
ALASTAIR JAMES, CEO OF THE RED MEAT ADVISORY COUNCIL:
"Industry quite some time ago set itself its own target because sustainability of the red meat and livestock industry is key.
"We've committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2030 and we are a long way down that track, we have already reached just shy of 59 per cent of the way there.
"So we're very, very comfortable with the approach that the industry is taking in achieving that goal."
