THE RETURN OF THE PRIMITIVE.

A few years ago, we noted New Zealand's efforts to avoid further Californication.

Then came the corona tyranny, which set new records for repression there.

I wonder if it's something in the air.

New Zealand's government on Tuesday proposed taxing the greenhouse gasses that farm animals make from burping and peeing as part of a plan to tackle climate change.

The government said the farm levy would be a world first, and farmers should be able to recoup the cost by charging more for climate-friendly products.

Don't you love government spin masquerading as objective journalism?  Sure, there are people willing to pay higher prices to signal their virtue (look no further than the "organic" counters at your grocery) but when you're already on the hook for transportation and your primary market is a nest of polluters?

Opposition lawmakers from the conservative ACT Party said the plan would actually increase worldwide emissions by moving farming to other countries that were less efficient at making food.

New Zealand's farming industry is vital to its economy. Dairy products, including those used to make infant formula in China, are the nation's largest export earner.

There are just 5 million people in New Zealand but some 10 million beef and dairy cattle and 26 million sheep.

The outsized industry has made New Zealand unusual in that about half of its greenhouse gas emissions come from farms. Farm animals produce gasses that warm the planet, particularly methane from cattle burping and nitrous oxide from their urine.

Yes, and the atmosphere is great at mixing the gases circulating in it, including the agricultural byproducts from Chinese farms.  But the same political party that brought Kiwis the corona tyranny wants to bring them less stinky agriculture.

Under the government's proposed plan, farmers would start to pay for emissions in 2025, with the pricing yet to be finalized.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said all the money collected from the proposed farm levy would be put back into the industry to fund new technology, research and incentive payments for farmers.

"New Zealand's farmers are set to be the first in the world to reduce agricultural emissions, positioning our biggest export market for the competitive advantage that brings in a world increasingly discerning about the provenance of their food," Ardern said.

Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor said it was an exciting opportunity for New Zealand and its farmers.

That is, if the current government doesn't get turfed out first.

Ardern's Labour Party has slipped in popularity and fallen behind the main opposition National Party since Ardern won a second term in 2020 in a landslide victory of historic proportions.

If Ardern's government can't find agreement on the proposal with farmers, who have considerable political sway in New Zealand, it's likely to make it more difficult for Ardern to win reelection next year when the nation returns to the polls.

On the other hand, perhaps the implementation of a burp tax in New Zealand might induce some of the noisier advocates for green agriculture in these United States to go there and run sustainable farms.