Baa humbug! The US verdict on farm burps

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New Zealand's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farm animals are being ridiculed in America.

A Wall Street Journal article on the work being done by scientists to find a way to curb methane burped by sheep and cattle has prompted reader responses ranging from disbelief to derision.

In the article, the Journal reporter describes how sheep's methane emissions are being recorded and the difficulty of finding a solution. It backgrounds the issue, pointing out that New Zealanders pride themselves on their environmental conscience and are concerned that almost half of the nation's emissions come from farm animals.

Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium manager Mark Aspin said the article was fair but the response to it was surprising. "If the article had been put in front of a science audience in the United States I think you would have seen quite a different reaction - we are admired for our efforts in this challenging research activity."

Some of the comments on the Journal's website:

"I think scientists have gone crazy."

"Thanks for providing a good laugh."

"Why don't we deal with the artificial man-made pollution that is destroying the environment and leave nature alone?"

"Have you ever heard a more ridiculous tale?"

"You've got to be kidding me!"

"The sheer arrogance and stupidity of the idiots who espouse this ridiculous notion is beyond description."

"Get ready we're next! We'll be walking around with sensors attached to our butts!"

"I'm stunned that this is a serious topic!"

"The Global Warming Mob is trying to pull the wool over our eyes."

"There are environmental problems on this planet, but research like this takes value resources away from dealing with them."

"Baaaaaaa, humbug!"

Mr Aspin said such attitudes showed how challenging a task humanity had in changing its effect on the planet. "It certainly isn't just about technology."

These people missed that the US had a large number of cattle that would benefit from New Zealand's research. Though agriculture produced 9 per cent of the US's greenhouse gas emissions, its farm animals were responsible for 19 per cent of the world's emissions. New Zealand's livestock produced 0.2 per cent of the world total.

- © Fairfax NZ News