Nationals leader David Littleproud says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants to take away the backyard barbecue by signing up to Joe Biden’s methane emissions cut.

David Littleproud has warned the classic Australian barbecue is under threat if the government signs on to President Joe Biden’s methane emissions cut.

Australia could sign up to the United States-led pledge which would reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent over the next decade.

Australia’s livestock sector, mainly made up of cattle and sheep, is responsible for about 48 per cent of the country’s methane emissions and the industry says it can reach its 2030 carbon neural target without legislation.

Methane gas is considered one of the top contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions and makes up 25 per cent of Australia’s total output.

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In a press release, Mr Littleproud said the proposed cuts would result in higher prices for various meats at the grocery store.

“Australians are already hurting with petrol prices, electricity prices and food prices,” he said.

“Now the Aussie BBQ is under threat. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants to take away the backyard BBQ.

“We know Australians love their sausages, steaks, rissoles and lamb meals – all of that will become out of reach for many.

“We do not want to see the Aussie BBQ available to only the rich – we urge Labor to reject the methane madness idea and embrace the Aussie BBQ spirit instead of destroy it.”

Labor’s support for the 2030 methane emissions pledge will hurt farmers and cost customers more at the checkout. pic.twitter.com/9SEi6gCCcc

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt on Thursday morning said he would be “comfortable” should the government sign up to the pledge.

"I and other ministers have been consulting with farm groups and individual farmers about how they feel about this and what the impacts would be," Mr Watt told the ABC.

“I would be comfortable if we were to sign up to this as the representative of the agriculture, industry and the government and, and that that position is pretty much backed by all the industry groups as well."

The government will attend the United Nation’s COP27 climate conference in Egypt next month and hopes to take with it the firm commitment to reduce methane emissions.

New Zealand on Tuesday announced a world first scheme that will require farmers to pay for their agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, including gases naturally emitted by their livestock.

The move by Jacinda Ardern’s Labour government is a step towards the country’s pledge to reduce methane emissions by 10 per cent by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050.

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