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Anti-flatulence tax upsets NZ farmers

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AUCKLAND, New Zealand, July 16 (UPI) -- New Zealand Federated Farmers held its annual conference this week in Auckland, with members upset over a new anti- flatulence tax.

New Zealand Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton addressed the group but his remarks were greeted by boos, hisses and frequent interruptions.

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The New Zealand Herald said Sutton was greeted with several signs, one of which read "Fight Against Ridiculous Taxes" -- FART for short -- illustrated by a rear view of a cow with its tail raised.

The new federal tax on grazing animals is designed to finance research into animal gas emissions. But farmers say they'll lie about their stock numbers or just refuse to pay. Some have mailed packages of dung to Parliament.

The Herald said Sutton tried to explain the government's reasons for enacting the tax, saying, "The temperature of the planet is climbing."

But from the back of the room, a farmer retorted, "It's colder now than in 1938!"

And every time Sutton uttered the words "levy" or "emissions charges" voices hissed "tax!"

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