Farting cows get the ticket!

Antaletriangle · 03-10-2009, 05:43 PM

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle5877416.ece

What do cars and cows have in common? No, not hornsCarl Mortished, World Business Editor
Proposals to tax the flatulence of cows and other livestock have been denounced by farming groups in the Irish Republic and Denmark.

A cow tax of €13 per animal has been mooted in Ireland, while Denmark is discussing a levy as high as €80 per cow to offset the potential penalties each country faces from European Union legislation aimed at combating global warming.

The proposed levies are opposed vigorously by farming groups. The Irish Farmers' Association said that the cattle industry would move to South America to avoid EU taxes.

Livestock contribute 18 per cent of the greenhouse gases believed to cause global warming, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. The Danish Tax Commission estimates that a cow will emit four tonnes of methane a year in burps and flatulence, compared with 2.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide for an average car.

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Agriculture, transport and housing are not included in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which enables industrial companies to buy and sell permits to emit carbon dioxide. Instead, EU member states are obliged to cut the emissions from non-ETS sectors by 10 per cent overall by 2020.

While Romania and Bulgaria will be allowed to increase emissions, Ireland and Denmark are each faced with cuts of 20 per cent in farming sector emissions.

The cow tax proposals would raise funds to buy allowances from other member states or to invest in technology that might reduce emissions. Denmark is believed to be further advanced with housing for pigs that captures and stores methane emitted from the animals. The gas can be used as a fuel for power generation.

A spokesman for the European Commission said that a cow tax was not its preferred option. “We would rather have solutions that reduce emissions by capturing methane from manure and new animal feeds that reduce methane.”

orthodoxymoron · 03-10-2009, 05:49 PM

Gas Tax?! Holy Cow! I laughed so hard...I farted! By the way...old Chinese proverb say 'he who farts in church...sits in his own pew'!

peaceandlove · 03-10-2009, 06:15 PM

How 'bout them termites?

Termites produce more methane than cows.

How do you collect tax from a termite?

So, this is 'THE' question!

Gooooo get 'em!

Any suggestions?

Antaletriangle · 03-10-2009, 08:40 PM

I know they will tax anything-poor cows!!lol. Udderly ridiculous.

Brinty · 03-10-2009, 08:47 PM

Q. Why do farts smell?

A. For the benefit of deaf people.

03-10-2009, 05:43 PM	#1
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Farting cows get the ticket! http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle5877416.ece What do cars and cows have in common? No, not hornsCarl Mortished, World Business Editor Proposals to tax the flatulence of cows and other livestock have been denounced by farming groups in the Irish Republic and Denmark. A cow tax of €13 per animal has been mooted in Ireland, while Denmark is discussing a levy as high as €80 per cow to offset the potential penalties each country faces from European Union legislation aimed at combating global warming. The proposed levies are opposed vigorously by farming groups. The Irish Farmers' Association said that the cattle industry would move to South America to avoid EU taxes. Livestock contribute 18 per cent of the greenhouse gases believed to cause global warming, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. The Danish Tax Commission estimates that a cow will emit four tonnes of methane a year in burps and flatulence, compared with 2.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide for an average car. Related Links Pardon me, but this may save the world The power of dung can be electric Green grass to cut cow flatulence Agriculture, transport and housing are not included in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which enables industrial companies to buy and sell permits to emit carbon dioxide. Instead, EU member states are obliged to cut the emissions from non-ETS sectors by 10 per cent overall by 2020. While Romania and Bulgaria will be allowed to increase emissions, Ireland and Denmark are each faced with cuts of 20 per cent in farming sector emissions. The cow tax proposals would raise funds to buy allowances from other member states or to invest in technology that might reduce emissions. Denmark is believed to be further advanced with housing for pigs that captures and stores methane emitted from the animals. The gas can be used as a fuel for power generation. A spokesman for the European Commission said that a cow tax was not its preferred option. “We would rather have solutions that reduce emissions by capturing methane from manure and new animal feeds that reduce methane.”

03-10-2009, 05:49 PM	#2
orthodoxymoron Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lunar Base II Posts: 3,093	Re: Farting cows get the ticket! Gas Tax?! Holy Cow! I laughed so hard...I farted! By the way...old Chinese proverb say 'he who farts in church...sits in his own pew'! Last edited by orthodoxymoron; 03-10-2009 at 05:59 PM.

03-10-2009, 06:15 PM	#3
peaceandlove Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Turtle Island Posts: 2,776	How do you collect tax from a termite? How 'bout them termites? Termites produce more methane than cows. How do you collect tax from a termite? So, this is 'THE' question! Gooooo get 'em! Any suggestions? Last edited by peaceandlove; 03-10-2009 at 11:58 PM.

03-10-2009, 08:40 PM	#4
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Re: Farting cows get the ticket! I know they will tax anything-poor cows!!lol. Udderly ridiculous.

03-10-2009, 08:47 PM	#5
Brinty Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Blackbutt, Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,004	Re: Farting cows get the ticket! Q. Why do farts smell? A. For the benefit of deaf people.