Denmark (AP) — Denmark will tax livestock farmers for the greenhouse gases emitted by their cows the first country in the world to do so as it targets a major source of methane emissions one of the most potent gases contributing to global warming The aim is to reduce Danish greenhouse gas emissions by 70% from 1990 levels by 2030 The tax will increase to 750 kroner ($108) by 2035 the actual cost per ton will start at 120 kroner ($17.3) and increase to 300 kroner by 2035 Although carbon dioxide typically gets more attention for its role in climate change methane traps about 87 times more heat on a 20-year timescale National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which is emitted from sources including landfills have increased particularly quickly since 2020 Livestock account for about 32% of human-caused methane emissions New Zealand had passed a similar law due to take effect in 2025 the legislation was removed from the statute book on Wednesday after hefty criticism from farmers and a change of government at the 2023 election from a center-left ruling bloc to a center-right one New Zealand said it would exclude agriculture from its emissions trading scheme in favor of exploring other ways to reduce methane the deal was reached late Monday between the center-right government and representatives of farmers Denmark's move comes after months of protests by farmers across Europe against climate change mitigation measures and regulations that they say are driving them to bankruptcy The Danish Society for Nature Conservation the largest nature conservation and environmental organization in Denmark described the tax agreement as "a historic compromise." "We have succeeded in landing a compromise on a CO2 tax which lays the groundwork for a restructured food industry -– also on the other side of 2030," its head Maria Reumert Gjerding said after the talks in which they took part A typical Danish cow produces 6 metric tons (6.6 tons) of CO2 equivalent per year also will tax pigs although cows produce far higher emissions than pigs The tax is to be approved in the 179-seat Folketing but the bill is expected to pass after the broad-based consensus 1,484,377 cows in the Scandinavian country a slight drop compared to the previous year Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Denmark will tax livestock farmers for the greenhouse gases emitted by their cows the first country to do so as it targets a major source of methane emissions Danish livestock farmers will be taxed 300 kroner ($43) per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030 Although carbon dioxide typically gets more attention for its role in climate change Levels of methane, which is emitted from sources including landfills, oil and natural gas systems and livestock "We will take a big step closer in becoming climate neutral in 2045," Bruus said adding Denmark "will be the first country in the world to introduce a real CO2 tax on agriculture" and hoped other countries would follow suit Almost all of the methane from raising livestock and is released as burps through their mouths Most of the remaining 10% of livestock methane comes off manure ponds on both pig and cattle operations Denmark's move comes after months of protests by farmers across Europe against climate change mitigation measures and regulations that they say are driving them to bankruptcy described the tax agreement as "a historic compromise." "We have succeeded in landing a compromise on a CO2 tax which lays the groundwork for a restructured food industry -– also on the other side of 2030," its head Maria Reumert Gjerding said after the talks in which they took part Become an NPR sponsor DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa appeals court has upheld a $460,000 judgment against two cattle farmers over the mysterious disappearance of a prized Wagyu bull named Michiyoshi, The Gazette reports The court's decision comes after Eric and Sarah Bailey were found guilty of breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation involved Michigan-based American Wagyu Breeders entrusting the Baileys with Michiyoshi in exchange for using his semen to expand their herd DNA testing revealed that the bull presented as Michiyoshi was actually Hirashige another bull the Baileys had previously owned and claimed had died Michiyoshi's whereabouts remain unknown a jury awarded $460,000 in damages to American Wagyu Breeders citing procedural errors and questioning the damages and the lawsuit proceeded against his estate and Sarah Bailey.