New Zealand is set to set taxes on farmers for their livestock’s emissions to combat climate change.

Prime Minister Jacinda Arden disclosed the plans at a press conference on Tuesday, saying her government will push farmers to pay tax on the farting and burping of cows and other livestock. 

“This is an important step forward in New Zealand’s transition to a low emissions future and delivers on our promise to price agriculture emissions from 2025,” Ms Arden said.

The proposal will be consulted on and is due to end in November.

New Zealand has around 10 million cattle and 26 million sheep. 

The country is a primary livestock and meat exporter, and agricultural activities make up half of its total emissions, including 91 per cent of its biogenic emissions of methane.

According to the International Energy Agency, agriculture significantly influences climate change, and it is the largest source of methane emissions. 

In May, researchers used high-resolution satellites owned by the Montreal-based company GHGSat Inc. to study methane emissions from the Bear 5 cow feedlot near Bakersfield, California. 

On February 2, they discovered that the herd was emitting a range of 443 kilograms to 668 kilogrammes of methane per hour. 

If those emissions are sustained for a year, the cattle will release 5,116 tons of gas, enough to power 15,402 homes, the Montreal-based company said in a statement.