Farmers will pay a huge fine for every cow suffering from flatulence (3 photos)

Denmark introduces a carbon tax on agriculture. In a bid to save the planet, farmers will have to pay a £200 fine for every cow that farts.





Denmark is introducing the world's first carbon tax on agriculture in an attempt to cut greenhouse gas emissions it hopes will be copied around the world.

As noted, livestock accounts for 11% of global emissions, with nearly two-thirds coming from cattle.

When cows fart and burp, they release methane through their digestive system, which is one of the most powerful contributors to global warming.

The tax on cattle flatulence will also apply to sheep and pigs.



Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen hopes it will "pave the way forward regionally and globally." Climate Minister Lars Aagaard said agriculture is the country's biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

However, angry farmers called it "madness". They say this will discourage investment in technology in the Scandinavian country, which is one of the world's most environmentally friendly agricultural producers.

From 2030, farmers will be taxed at £12 per tonne of livestock carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. And since Danish cows each produce around six tonnes of gas a year, that means an annual fee of £80



By 2035 the levy will increase to £34 per tonne, meaning each cow will cost more than £200 per year.

According to the latest data, as of 2022 there were almost 1.5 million cows in Denmark.

It is also noted that New Zealand abandoned plans to introduce a similar tax due to a negative reaction from farmers.