Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor insists the Government has not broken its partnership with farmers after the release the controversial emissions pricing plan.
Earlier this month, the Government released a consultation document to the public proposing GST-registered farmers and growers who meet certain livestock and fertiliser use thresholds will have to pay levies on emissions from 2025.
On October 20, farmers protested against the Government's livestock emissions plan, with advocacy group Groundswell NZ calling it the "worst assault on New Zealand farmers and rural communities in a generation".
The Federated Farmers weren't happy either.
"The government’s rehashed plan to reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions throws out the two and a half years of work the industry did to come up with a solution, supposedly all that time in a 'partnership' with government to achieve a workable solution which would not reduce food production," it said.
"This is not what we've got… What happened to the 'historic partnership'?"
But O'Connor insisted the historic partnership has not been broken.
Speaking to Simon Shepherd on Newshub Nation, O'Connor said they have still got commitment from industry leaders to continue through the process.
"We've taken the recommendations. We've gone back with some questions, actually, not too much deviation from what they advised us. And we're listening to other farmers around the country as well to make sure that what we put in place the farmers understand why and they can buy into it," he said.
O'Connor said he would be disappointed if the Federated Farmers decide to pull out.
"But I hope, for the good of the members and future generations of farmers, that they stick with it and we work on what is an agreed solution."
Watch the full interview above.
