Statement attributable to NFF CEO Michael Guerin
The National Farmers’ Federation is urging the Australian Government to rule out endorsing the new 2026 Global Methane Pledge Ministerial Declaration released on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
Our farmers do not need another international declaration telling them to act on methane because they are already doing it.
Australian agriculture is a global leader in developing and adopting practical solutions, from better genetics and low-methane pastures to feed additives and new technologies that reduce emissions while maintaining productivity.
The Government gave farmers clear assurances when Australia joined the Global Methane Pledge in 2022: no livestock methane tax, no new regulation and no requirement to reduce agricultural production or livestock numbers. Those commitments must stand.
While the new declaration contains language recognising productivity, food security and livelihoods, it also calls for national commitments to be translated into policies, regulations and investment plans.
That creates unnecessary risk for Australian agriculture.
We know how quickly international commitments can be seized upon by anti-farming activists, stripped of context and repackaged into campaigns aimed at shutting down livestock production.
Farmers are sick of being targeted by activists peddling dubious claims while ignoring the enormous investment producers are making in practical, science-based solutions.
At a time of global uncertainty, governments should be utterly focused on food security, productivity and keeping food affordable.
Let farmers get on with implementing the technology and innovation that actually reduces emissions.
Australia should back its farmers and food security, and not endorse this declaration.