Nationals leader David Littleproud is warning Australian families the cost of meat will inevitably rise and become unaffordable for many, as the Labor Government pledges to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent over the decade.
Mr Littleproud said revelations Australia would sign up to U.S President Joe Biden’s global pledge to reduce methane were deeply concerning for Aussie families.
“Australians are already hurting with petrol prices, electricity prices and food prices,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Now the Aussie BBQ is under threat. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants to take away the backyard BBQ.
“We know Australians love their sausages, steaks, rissoles and lamb meals – all of that will become out of reach for many. We do not want to see the Aussie BBQ available to only the rich – we urge Labor to reject the methane madness idea and embrace the Aussie BBQ spirit instead of destroy it.”
There are reports an announcement to commit to the global methane pledge is imminent, with Labor set to attend next month’s UN COP27 climate change conference.
Mr Littleproud said Labor couldn’t be trusted to spare farmers any legislated measures similar to New Zealand, which confirmed plans to tax agriculture long-lived gases and biogenic methane that mainly comes from cows and sheep – their burps and nitrous oxide gases from their urine.
Mr Littleproud added decreasing methane gases meant decreasing herd numbers and the lower supply would impact families at the check-out.
“Less available meat, as Labor tries to lower methane, will cost Australians at the grocery store.
“This is another blow to families who are really struggling right now. We will not support a methane pledge, which is really just an attack on our farms and ultimately Australian families.
“I urge Labor to re-think this terrible idea and start helping Australian families, rather than hurting them even more.”