IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER? OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS OF SCIENTIFIC POLICY ANALYSIS FOR AGRICULTURE

Agricultural and Food Policy,

An integrated model platform for the economic assessment of agricultural policies in the European Union

A number of economic models have been applied to analyse the Common Agricultural Policy. The partial equilibrium models CAPRI, ESIM, AGLINK, AGMEMOD and CAPSIM and the general equilibrium models GLOBE and GTAP are currently integrated in a modelling platform for Agro-Economic Policy Analysis in the premises of the Joint Research Centre in Seville in close collaboration with Directorate- General for Agriculture and Rural Development. Each of the models included has a specific focus, enlarging the capacity for complex policy analysis within this platform. This can be done by comparing the results of different models or by linking them, where several methodological options are available. This paper gives some insights on current applications in the field of model integration for agricultural policy analysis.European Commission, Common Agricultural Policy, economic models, quantitative analysis, Agricultural and Food Policy, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Les facteurs explicatifs de la passivité ou de la neutralité des investisseurs institutionnels vis-àvis du contrôle des firmes de leurs portefeuilles.

L’objet de cet article est de déterminer les principaux facteurs qui empêchent les investisseurs institutionnels d’exercer leur rôle d’actionnaire dans les firmes de leurs portefeuilles. L’étude montre que la passivité ou la neutralité des actionnaires institutionnels vis à vis du système du contrôle de la firme peut être expliquée par quatre facteurs principaux : les contraintes légales et réglementaires, les problèmes de l’action collective de contrôle, les problèmes d’agence et de groupes d’intérêt et l’insuffisance du système d’évaluation et d’incitation des dirigeants des institutions financières.investisseurs institutionnels, contrôle, portefeuille, finance

Implications of EU Enlargement for Agricultural Markets in the New Member States

The paper presents an analysis of the impact of the Common Agricultural Policy implementation on the agricultural markets of the eight new EU Member States. The study is based on the AGMEMOD (AGricultural MEmber states MODelling) national econometric models. Two scenarios are simulated for each country. The "Baseline" scenario assumes the implementation of the Single Area Payment Scheme until 2008 and the subsequent introduction of the Single Payment Scheme from 2009 onwards. Complementary national direct payments would remain in force until 2013. The second scenario assumes the full decoupling of direct payments from 2007 and the introduction of modulation from 2013 onwards in the 2004 enlargement new Member States (EU-8). The baseline scenario projections suggest that the introduction of direct payments would expand EU-8 aggregate production, mainly of oilseeds, grains, sheepmeat and cheese, while beef and veal production would also increase. Consumption of more expensive beef and veal meat would be substituted by poultry and pigmeat. Full decoupling of direct payments will have only a moderate impact on the balance of supply and use for crop and animal production.commodity markets, CAP reform, new Member States, econometric model, Marketing,

Genome structure and pathogenicity of the fungal wheat pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola

The phytopathogenic fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fuckel) J. Schröt. in Cohn (asexual stage: Zymoseptoria tritici (Desm.) Quaedvlieg & Crous) causes septoria tritici leaf blotch (STB) in wheat and is one of the most important diseases of this crop worldwide. However, STB control, mainly based on the use of resistant cultivars and fungicides, is significantly hampered by the limited understanding of the genetic and biochemical bases of pathogenicity, and mechanisms of infection and resistance in the host. M. graminicola has a very active sexual cycle under field conditions, which is an important driver of STB epidemics. Moreover, it results in high genetic diversity of field populations that causes a major challenge for the development and sustainable management of resistant cultivars and the discovery of new antifungal compounds. Understanding the role of the sexual and asexual life cycles on genome composition of this versatile pathogen and its infection strategy is crucial in order to develop novel control methods. Chapter 1 is an introduction to the biology and pathogenicity of M. graminicola. In addition, it shortly describes the impact of improved and novel technologies on the speed, scope and scale of comparative genomics research. Chapter 2 provides detailed genetic analyses of two M. graminicola mapping populations, using mainly DArT markers, and the analysis of the meiotic transmission of unequal chromosome numbers. Polymorphisms in chromosome length and number were frequently observed in progeny isolates, of which 15–20% lacked one or more chromosomes despite their presence in one or both parents, but these had no apparent effect on sexual and pathogenic fitness. M. graminicola has up to eight so called dispensable chromosomes that can be easily lost - collectively called the dispensome - which is, so far, the highest number of dispensable chromosomes reported in filamentous fungi. They represent small-sized chromosomes and make up 38% of the chromosome complement of this pathogen. Much of the observed genome plasticity is generated during meiosis and could explain the high adaptability of M. graminicola in the field. The generated linkage map was crucial for finishing the M. graminicola genome sequence. Chapter 3 describes the M. graminicola genome sequence with highlights on genome structure and organization including the eight dispensable chromosomes. The genome comprises a core set of 13 chromosomes and a dispensome, consisting of eight chromosomes that are distinct from the core chromosomes in structure, gene and repeat content. The dispensome contains a higher frequency of transposons and the genes have a different codon use. Most of the genes present one the dispensome are also present on the core chromosomes but little synteny is observed neither between the M. graminicola dispensome and the core chromosomes nor with the chromosomes of other related Dothideomycetes. The dispensome likely originates from ancient horizontal transfer(s) from (an) unknown donor(s). Chapter 4 shows a global analysis of proteins secreted by M. graminicola in apoplastic fluids during infection. It focuses mainly on fungal proteins secreted in a compatible interaction. The study showed that many of the annotated secreted proteins have putative functions in fungal pathogenicity, such as cell wall degrading enzymes and proteases, but the function of a substantial number of the identified proteins is unknown. During compatible interactions proteins are primarily secreted during the later stages. However, many pathogenesis-related host proteins, such as PR-2, PR-3 and PR-9, accumulated earlier and at higher concentrations during incompatible interactions, indicating that fungal effectors are recognized by resistant plants and trigger resistant gene-mediated defence responses, though without a visible hypersensitive response. Chapter 5 further details the initial identification and characterization of necrosis-inducing proteins that are produced in culture filtrates (CFs) of M. graminicola. The necrosis-inducing activity of CFs is light dependent and inactivated by proteinase K and heat treatment (100C). This is reminiscent of the necrosis-inducing properties of host selective toxins of other Dothideomycete pathogens such as Stagonospora nodorum and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis. Subsequent purifications of CFs and mass spectrometry identified several candidate proteins with necrosis-inducing activity. Heterologous expression of the two most prominent proteins in Pichia pastoris produced sufficient quantities for infiltration assays in a panel of wheat cultivars that showed differential responses, suggesting specific recognition. Chapter 6 provides a general discussion of the thesis and puts the results obtained in a broader perspective with a focus on the genome structure of M. graminicola and its function. In addition, aspects of the hemi-biotrophic lifestyle, the relevance of secreted proteins for the wheat-M. graminicola pathosystem in relation to gene-for-gene models and the potential implications for resistance breeding strategies are discussed. </p

Relations entre les firmes et les actionnaires institutionnels : promotion de l'investissement relationnel.

L’investissement relationnel est un nouveau mécanisme de contrôle des dirigeants par les investisseurs institutionnels. La pratique de cette forme de contrôle suppose la détention d'une part importante de capital, sur un horizon long et un engagement réciproque entre les investisseurs institutionnels, les administrateurs et les dirigeants sur la politique de la firme et les prises des décisions. L’investissement relationnel est basé sur la construction d’une relation capital / gestion étroite et durable. Il s’exerce surtout au moyen de la négociation. La pratique de l’investissement relationnel permet de réduire l’asymétrie informationnelle, les coûts de transaction et les coûts d’agence. Du côté de l’entreprise, ce mécanisme de contrôle permet de protéger les dirigeants contre les prises de contrôle hostiles et donc d’avoir une vision de long terme sur l’industrie. Toutefois, les investisseurs relationnels peuvent être opportunistes et cherchent de profiter de leurs relations aux dirigeants pour réaliser des gains privés. Enfin, les investisseurs institutionnels peuvent ne pas avoir de l'expertise suffisante pour gérer l'entreprise.investisseurs institutionnels, investissement relationnel, contrôle, entreprise, relation

Drivers of the European Bioeconomy in Transition (BioEconomy2030) - an exploratory, model-based assessment

Employing a state-of-the-art multi-region market simulation model and database, the aim of this research is to further build on existing research which has attempted to tackle some of these questions at a global scale (von Lampe et al., 2014), in three ways. Firstly, it complements the broader global view provided by previous initiatives with a detailed one for the European Union, with some focus at the member state level. Secondly, different narratives or story lines are developed which reflect different philosophical outlooks resulting from government policy (as opposed to different assumptions pertaining to macroeconomic growth, technological change and biophysical constraints). As a result, this research sets its gaze more firmly on a more medium term future, rather than ‘blue sky’ research initiatives which examine the inherent uncertainty which is characteristic of long run (2050) and very long run (2100) time horizons (von Lampe et al., 2014). Finally, the scope of bio-based activities goes beyond the standard definitions inherent within national accounts data to encompass sources of biomass supply, bio-fuels and bio-chemicals, whilst also taking account of ‘new’ technologies (i.e. second generation fuels) which, hitherto, are still in their infancy but may be expected to play a key role in shaping the bio-economy in the medium term. The structure of this report is as follows. Section 2 describes the data and model framework employed for this study. Section 3 outlines the experimental implementation of the study (i.e., data aggregation, modelling assumptions, scenario design etc). Section 4 presents the baseline results, whilst section 5 examines the resilience of EU bio-economic sectors by comparing the results of two alternative policy visions with those of the baseline. Additional analysis is also conducted to examine the sensitivity of bio-based sectors to divergent changes in world fossil fuel prices. Chapter 6 provides a summary of the key results and some final conclusions.JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Drivers of the European Bioeconomy in Transition (BioEconomy2030): an exploratory, model-based assessment

The bioeconomy comprises sectors that use renewable biological resources to produce food, materials and energy. It is at the centre of several global and EU challenges in the near future such as the creation of growth and jobs, climate change, food security and resource depletion. “Bioeconomy 2030†projects a reference scenario (‘business as usual’) and compares it with two distinct policy narratives (‘Outward-looking’ and ‘Inward-looking’) to understand the drivers of EU’s bioeconomy up to 2030, assess its resilience to fulfil such diverse policy goals and identify potential trade-offs. As a motor of jobs and growth, the results indicate that the importance of the bio-based sectors is expected to dwindle somewhat. The factors underlying this result are mainly structural and related to comparably lower macroeconomic growth rates in the EU. It is, however, conceivable that improved economic development or productivity improvements linked to EU investments in, for instance bio-based innovation, would produce a recognisably more optimistic outlook for the EU bioeconomy.Publishe