Competitiveness of pig and poultry production in Vietnam: Outcome of policy analysis matrix

The policy analysis matrix (PAM) approach was applied to assess the competitiveness of poultry and pig production (using local, crossbred and exotic breeds) in North and South Vietnam using data collected in 1999 from a stratified sample of 2213 farms. Results show that poultry meat and egg production is generally competitive except meat and egg production with local breeds, and egg production with crossbreeds in the North, and egg production with local breeds in the South, due to low productivity and high per unit cost. There are economies of scale in the North but it is not so clear in the South. Domestic prices of both outputs and inputs are higher than the world prices. If output prices fall moderately due to withdrawal of protective policies and domestic demand slows down from the current high levels, poultry breeds that are profitable under the existing situation would still remain competitive. Pig production under existing technologies and market conditions is highly competitive, especially with local and crossbreeds in the North and exotic breeds in the South. Currently the producers in the South are apparently benefiting more due to market conditions and policy that make input cost higher and output price lower in the North. There are economies of scale in pig production. Medium farms are more cost effective, and small farms are least competitive. Unless targeted support is provided to small farms, they are likely to be pushed out of business in a more liberalized economic environment

URBAN GEOCHEMICAL STUDIES IN EUROPE

Urban soil is generally contaminated to a variable degree depending on its proximity to contamination sources. Traffic is one of the main sources of urban contamination; lead (Pb) from the use of leaded petrol, zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) from tyre wear, antimony (Sb) from break pads, and the platinum group elements (PGEs) from the wear of catalytic converters, are some typical elements that often reach high concentrations in the urban environment. Lead was also a key ingredient in white paint, and in towns with a high proportion of white wooden houses very high concentrations were found in soil. Crematoria can or have emitted mercury (Hg). Coal and heavy oil fired municipal power and heating stations emit sulphur (S), silver (Ag), vanadium (V), bromine (Br) and barium (Ba). The use of impregnated wood may have resulted in high concentrations of arsenic (As), especially in kindergartens (nursery schools) and playgrounds. Building materials (plaster and paint) may also contain high concentrations of organic contaminants, especially polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which again end up in urban soil. Coal and wood burning, the use of diesel fuel, and the production of coke, all lead to the emission of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). There exist countless other sources of local contamination in towns, and there is thus every reason to be concerned about the quality of the urban environment, and the suitability of soil for sensitive land uses, such as schools, playgrounds, parks and vegetable gardens. Contaminated urban soil may contaminate indoor dust and, therefore, to an increased human exposure to toxic chemicals. Consequently, the distribution of toxic contaminants in urban soil needs to be documented and known by city administration to avoid costly mistakes in land use planning, and further spreading of highly contaminated materials. The EuroGeoSurveys \u2018Geochemistry\u2019 Expert Group during the compilation of a proposal to the Directors for a European wide urban geochemistry project, using a harmonised sampling and analytical methodology, it discovered that many urban geochemical studies have been performed in Europe by National Geological Surveys, which are not known to the wider geoscientific community. Since, the results of these studies are directly related to our quality of life, the EuroGeoSurveys \u2018Geo chemistry\u2019 Expert Group decided to publish at least one case study from each country in a book,which will be available in the second half of 2010. A concise description of some of these studies will be given in this paper

Geochemical atlases of Europe produced by the EuroGeoSurveys Geochemistry Expert Group: state of progress and potential uses.

An ‘Atlas’is a collection of maps usually published in a book form. A ‘Geochemical Atlas’is a thematic special purpose atlas with maps describing the geographical distribution of chemical elements and other physico-chemical parameters in different natural sample media, such as stream sediment, overbank or floodplain sediment, stream water, ground water, soil, plants, etc. Because our standard of living and health depend closely on the chemistry of near-surface materials, such atlases that provide data on the state of our environment are important for policy and decision makers, but also for researchers and citizens alike. The EuroGeoSurveys Geochemistry Expert Group is dedicated to provide harmonised multi-purpose geochemical data bases, and has already published the Geochemical Atlas of Europe, and is in the process of preparing the Atlas of Ground water eochemistry of Europe, and the Atlas of Agricultural and Grazing Land Soils. An important aspect is that all raw data, quality control information, statistics, maps and interpretation texts are freely available for downloading through the internet