New Zealand is thinking introducing a new tax to help the environment. It wants farmers to pay tax the numbers farm animals they have. Sheep, cows and other livestock create a lot methane. This is one the most damaging greenhouse gases. It is a big cause climate change. Animals release methane every time they burp or fart. The "burp tax" would take effect 2025. New Zealand has 20,000 farms. There are around 26 million sheep, 4 million cows and other animals the country. James Shaw, New Zealand's climate change minister, said: "There is no question that we need to cut the amount of methane we are putting the atmosphere."
Farming animals accounts around 14.5 per cent global greenhouse gasses. This comes animals burping and farting, animal waste, clearing land animals and transporting animals. Mr Shaw wants farming to be more environmentally friendly. Farmers will have to pay a kind tax the methane their animals produce. Shaw also wants farmers to change the way they farm. He wants them to feed their animals seaweed instead grass. This will produce fewer emissions. Mr Shaw also said farmers can reduce the tax they pay planting more trees. Another suggestion is cows to wear special masks. New Zealand's farmers support the government. They want to do their bit to help the environment.
