One of New Zealand's leading agricultural consultants says the Government's logic behind setting prices for farm-level emissions is flawed.

Speaking on the latest 'Future Buzz' Buzzworthy podcast, Will Wilson says the Government should price "net emissions" by the sector rather than "gross emissions".

Methane emissions - the vast majority which is generated by livestock, form around half of New Zealand's total official climate tally. However, Will argues when accounted for the industry has a net sink of emissions in the biogenic carbon cycle.

"In short, we keep talking about gross emissions of methane for example in agriculture," says Will.

"You can't keep talking about gross emissions without considering the credit from our pastoral system sinking carbon dioxide in the [overall] system.

"We should be talking the net emissions, and by and large, most farming pastures in New Zealand have a credit, not a debit. In other words, they have a net sink of carbon in the cycle.

Will says the Government's number "isn't wrong, but it needs to be offset" to account for the decrease in emissions using his theory.

"It [farming and agriculture] is the only sector commercial in New Zealand that has a system that sinks carbon. Transport doesn't for example, it is a net emitter."

On the previous 'Future Buzz' podcast, Will stated farms consume about "15 to 30 per cent" of carbon in the cycle, according to host Ross Crowley.

Agricultural consultant Will Wilson explaining how some farms have a net negative in emissions during the last 'Future Buzz' podcast. Photo: Buzzworthy.

"This will differ from every farm in New Zealand, and there may even be some variable situations where there is actually a net contribution. But by in large, when we are dealing with 7.7 million hectares of pastoral farming in the sheep and beef sector, there is a net sinking of the carbon.

"That is where the [Government] model has been challenged and of course has been admitted to they haven't got it right."

The world-first scheme proposed by the Government brings in split-gas farm-level emissions pricing from 2025.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon says implementing agricultural pricing is important, but it is important to 'pace with the technological advances that are coming and sync it up with that”.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon. Photo: Angus Dreaver/RNZ.

'The Thing i find really, really disturbing is we're going to get rid of one-fifth of our sheep and beef farmers by 2030, in less than seven years,” Luxon claims during an interview with Morning Report.

On the other side of the spectrum, Climate Change Minister James Shaw of the Green Party says it is 'not exactly what he wanted”.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw. Photo: Angus Dreaver/RNZ.

Shaw was keen to put a cap on emissions, and have emissions pricing sit independent from ministers.

"I think it could be more robust and a system that uses an absolute cap is the most robust you could have.

"However, something that isn't going to be up and running on time and could be easily dismantled is not going to deliver you the emissions reductions that you need."

Shaw fears government setting the prices risks the process being vulnerable to lobbying.

"We've seen in the past where in a change of government that then will side with the sector, you could see something we've set up being dismantled a couple of years down the track.

"And of course that doesn't achieve our goals either."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Government is committed to building a system that works for farmers.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo: Angus Dreaver/RNZ.

"We will continue to work in partnership to drive as much consensus as possible to ensure we have a system that lasts the distance," says Ardern.

"Cutting emissions will help New Zealand farmers to not only be the best in the world but the best for the world; gaining a price premium for climate friendly agricultural products while also helping to boost export earnings."

The consultation period for the Government proposal ends on November 18.

To hear the full opinion on the Government's proposal by one of New Zealand's leading agricultural consultants, visit the Buzzworthy website for the full podcast.

- Additional reporting by RNZ and Stuff.