“No piece of public policy has undergone so little critical scrutiny by so many experts over so long a period,” says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers president.

“Yet the public is now seeing the ETS for what it truly is - a tax. For farmers it’s grating to hear politicians talk of us in the negative, while overlooking our massive productivity gains. These are gains that have kept New Zealand and New Zealanders in the first world.

“While agricultural emissions have apparently risen by 12 percent between 1990 and 2007, compare that with the 72 per cent growth in transport related emissions or the 120 percent growth in electricity related emissions. Agriculture has done an outstanding job.

“Yet farmers sheer ability to innovate means that since 1990, we’re producing seven percent more lamb but from 55 percent fewer sheep. With beef, our meat volumes are up 23 per cent but from 11 per cent fewer cattle. Meanwhile dairy production growth per cow has averaged an amazing 26 percent since 1990.

“All this is from 20 per cent less farmed land than was in production back in 1990.

“Even agriculture’s labour productivity is leaps and bounds above all other sectors, growing by some 68 percent over this period.

“Federated Farmers is asking why $1.06 billion is being put into this tax but a mere $45 million, over four years, is being committed to international research solutions?

“Federated Farmers web-based switch off campaign is about bringing forward the 2011 review that is light on detail. This isn’t about ‘sceptics’ or ‘believers’ but is for people who believe research and not a tax is the real answer.

“The world needs our food so its time to switch off the ETS. That’s a strong message we’ll continue taking to the Government,” Mr Nicolson said.