We’ve been hearing a lot lately about the rising price of gas. For perspective, here’s a snapshot of per litre prices for regular grade, at various points across the Prairies May 25-27: Camrose 68.9; Red Deer 75.9; Calgary 78.5; Claresholm 71.9; Saskatoon 84.9; Regina 84.9; Brandon 79.9; Killarney 75.9; Winnipeg 79.9.
The annoying thing about higher prices, besides the expense, is the seemingly arbitrary way they fluctuate.
Manufacturers typically deny that price increases coincide with holiday long weekends and particularly busy travel periods, but most consumers don’t accept that denial.
One also can’t help noticing that the amount of the increase seems to exceed the amount of any subsequent decreases. It’s a two steps forward, one step back approach to pricing.
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What a different agricultural world it would be if farmers and ranchers could arbitrarily set their own prices. And as you’ve read in these pages over the last few months, there are a few groups working on proposals to create that happenstance, or at least a market in which farmers have more influence on the eventual price paid.
Anyway, a gas concern of a different sort caused recent consternation in New Zealand. The situation bears watching, in case this odiferous idea wafts beyond kiwi borders. In other words, we don’t want to be standing downwind from it.
Agence France Presse and the National Post last week reported the New Zealand government is considering a flatulence tax on animals to offset the supposed damage done by their expelled methane to the ozone layer. It’s one way the country hopes to meet its greenhouse gas reduction commitments.
Taxes in the range of $2.60 to $39 for each cow and sheep are reportedly being considered. New Zealand has 10 million cattle and 47 million sheep, so a tax even on the lower end of the range would generate serious money.
“Farmers are baffled about how to remedy natural animal behavior,” the news agency reported. As well they should be. One might as easily stop time and tide as stop the rumbling byproducts of a ruminant digestive system.
A tax on air, however sullied that air might be, would definitely be a new low in fiscal levies.
Yes folks, it’s another example of stench that issues not from the orifices of farm animals, but from the soft underbellies of a government bureaucracy.
