h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here in clean, green New Zealand, while eating my (hopefully not genetically-modified) cornflakes this morning, I heard this startling news story on the radio.

The Government says it has no plans to introduce a flatulence tax, to tackle methane gas emissions from livestock.

Climate Change spokesman Pete Hodgson says methane emissions from sheep and cattle account for about half of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. He says this week's budget will provide some funding for research into ways to reduce the emissions.

Mr Hodgson also wants the primary sector to help pay for long term research. He says existing research suggests changing what the animals eat may improve their conversion of food into body weight, as well as helping the environment

Hee hee hee, coincidentally, I heard this on the radio a good few months back. I thought I had mentioned it? Anyway, i had meant to.
I couldn't believe it. How could you possibly impose a flatulence tax? Would some poor tax official have to stand with a methane detector behind the cow and measure over a given period the amount of methane produced and tax that cow accordingly? Puts a very strange picture in my head, one which i could rather do without

Never underestimate the power of politicians to come up with crap ideas

That is the truth of it, my friend, unfortunately it is the same the world over.

ok, pardon me for stepping in here (about 5 weeks late...never was one to claim i was quick ) but what the heck!? attempting to tax people for having animals which (pardon the term here) fart? what's next?? trying to tax the humans for burping...i mean think about it, some of those burps carry quite a punch, i am sure someone somewhere would find a way to make it the cause of something which causes harm to our planet.
note: all humour here...just sitting here in the dark of night going through stuff and seeing what i can stick my nose into
Monsy

better not tax burps

i could see the headlines now.....'Beer sales go through the basement as gas masks sales soar'
and think of those poor college kids who can no longer enjoy the happy games of guzzle 'till you puke then see who can burp their abc's without stopping
ouch!
Monsy

More on the joys of vomiting can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A577389

sounds like a must read

leave it to dear loony to know where all the best spots in the goo are
Monsy

hmmm...?