Connect with us

World

Denmark farmers will soon pay taxes based on how much their livestock farts

Published

on

Denmark farmers will soon pay taxes based on how much their livestock farts

Pasture-ing gas comes at a price.

Denmark farmers will soon have to pay an extra tax for their livestock’s farts — making it the first country to implement such a measure to target global warming-inducing methane emissions.

The gassy tax will apply to cows, sheep and pigs starting in 2030.

A new Denmark law will require farmers to pay a tax based on how much methane their livestock produces each year, starting in 2030. AFP via Getty Images

“We will take a big step closer in becoming climate neutral in 2045,” said Taxation Minister Jeppe Bruus, adding Denmark “will be the first country in the world to introduce a real CO2 tax on agriculture.”

Under the new law, Danish farmer will be taxed 300 kroner — or $43 — per ton of carbon dioxide that their livestock emits.

That price will jump to 750 kroner, or $108, in 2035, but because of an income tax deduction of 60%, the actual cost per ton will start at 120 kroner and increase to 300 kroner by 2035.

The goal of the tax is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Denmark, which is a large dairy and pork exporter.

Every cow produces 6 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year.

AP

There are roughly 1,480,000 cows in the Scandinavian country, with each producing 6 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year.

Most of the gas comes from the way livestock digests their food before releasing it through burps, farts and manure. Cows are the biggest contributor of livestock methane.

Under the new law, Denmark hopes to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 70% from 1990 levels by 2030.

The new law would make Denmark the first in the world to implement such a measure on livestock. AFP via Getty Images

The tax is still awaiting approval from parliament but is expected to pass.

New Zealand passed a similar law set to be implemented in 2025, until it was quashed on Wednesday following intense criticism from farmers.

With Post wires

Continue Reading