Oct 13, 2025
After years of persistent advocacy, the deer industry is proud to celebrate a significant policy shift announced by the Government: agricultural emissions will not be priced, and methane targets have been revised to reflect the science of no additional warming.
This outcome is a direct result of coordinated submissions with B+LNZ and tireless engagement by DINZ, alongside the New Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association. Together we’ve made the case that New Zealand’s approach to agricultural emissions must be grounded in science, fairness, and recognition of New Zealand’s agricultural sector being the backbone of the economy. DINZ has long argued that decreasing global food production contradicts the objectives of the Paris Agreement. The status quo was likely to have far-reaching consequences beyond the farm gate.
The Government announced yesterday that they will remove agricultural emissions pricing from the policy agenda. In addition, the government will revise methane reduction targets to a more achievable 14–24% by 2050 (down from 24–47%), with a review scheduled for 2040. This won’t be an easy task, however, and the primary sector will still need to work hard to achieve these targets.
“For deer farmers and the wider pastoral sector, the threat of emissions pricing has long cast a shadow over what costs farmers face in the future,” says DINZ CEO Rhys Griffiths. “This announcement brings clarity and stability, allowing us to focus on what we do best: producing high-quality, sustainable food for global markets.”
The Government has also committed to reviewing New Zealand’s international climate commitments (NDCs) to potentially adopt a split-gas approach—recognising the distinct warming profiles of methane versus long-lived gases.
“We welcome the Government’s commitment to reviewing New Zealand’s NDCs under the Paris Agreement with a split-gas lens,” says DINZ Environmental Stewardship Manager Luka Jansen. “This approach better aligns with international science and acknowledges the critical role of food production in global climate policy.
“Countries like Uruguay have already adopted split-gas reporting, and we’re hoping to work with international partners to encourage broader uptake. This is a win not just for New Zealand farmers, but for global agricultural sustainability. The deer industry will continue to advocate for enduring, science-based policy that supports farmers and rural communities.”
This milestone would not have been possible without the engagement of deer farmers across the country. Your voices, submissions, and support have helped shape a better future for our sector.
