Comments on Suggestions for a Research Agenda in Modeling Trade Policy

International Relations/Trade,

Governing the GM crop revolution: policy choices for developing countries

Will developing countries adopt policies that promote the planting of genetically modified (GM) crops, or will they select policies that slow the spread of the GM crop revolution? The evidence so far is mixed. In some prominent countries such as China, policies are in place that encourage the independent development and planting of GM crops. Yet in a number of other equally prominent countries the planting of GM crops is not yet officially approved. The inclination of developing countries to promote or block the spread of GM crops can be judged by the policy choices they make in five separate areas: intellectual property rights (IPR) policy, biosafety policy, trade policy, food safety policy, and public research investments. Paarlberg discusses various policy options related to GM crops: (1) Intellectual Property Rights; (2) Biosafety; (3) Trade; (4) Food Safety and Consumer Choice; and (5) Public Research Investments. The appropriate policies for each of these must be adopted by developing countries.

The politics of precaution

In this original study Robert Paarlberg examines local policy responses to GM crop technologies in four important developing countries: Brazil, India, Kenya, and China.Genetic engineering. ,Crops. ,Government. ,Brazil. ,India. ,Kenya. ,China. ,

Governance and food security in an age of globalization

Whose responsibility is it to assure food security in an age of globalization? Is improved governance at the international level our greatest need, or are governance deficits most severe at the national level? When national governments lag in assuring food security for their own citizens, can outsiders help make up the resulting governance deficit? What role can bilateral donors and international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, play? Is it possible for NGOs to step in to do the job? These and related pressing questions are addressed in this discussion paper by Robert Paarlberg. He argues that the problems of hunger and food insecurity urgently require a national, not global focus. Many national governments in developing countries still do not provide essential public goods, such as civil peace, rule of law, transport infrastructure, clean water, electrical power, and public research to generate new agricultural productivity essential ingredients in the effort to boost incomes. For tackling hunger, the weak performance of nation-states remains most critical—and in most critical need of improvement. According to Paarlberg, the governance challenge as far as food security is concerned is to persuade sovereign governments to provide the necessary public goods that would ensure access to adequate food. This paper was commissioned for IFPRI's 2020 Vision Initiative conference, "Sustainable Food Security for All by 2020," held on September 4–6, 2001, in Bonn, Germany. A summary version was presented at the session on "Whose Responsibility Is It To End Hunger?" The presentation sparked a long overdue discussion on who are the key actors in the effort to eliminate hunger, how their role has changed over time, and what their responsibilities are likely to be in the future. (from Foreward by Per Pinstrup-Andersen Director General, IFPRI)Hunger Prevention. ,Food security Developing countries. ,International Food Policy Research Institute. ,Government. ,

SHRINKING INTERNATIONAL MARKETS FOR GM CROPS?

Crop Production/Industries, International Relations/Trade, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Governance and food security in an age of globalization

The author asks if the reduction of hunger in the age of globalization depends upon improving governance at the global level or at the national level. he concludes that hunger, poor rural infrastructure, corruption, discrimination, lack of access to health services, etc. are local problems, most of which must be remedied by national governmental improvement, "one state at a time." "Think locally, then act nationally" is Paarlberg's governance motto.Hunger Prevention. ,Food security Developing countries. ,International Food Policy Research Institute. ,Government. ,

The Evolving Farm Structure in Eastern Germany

Farm Management,

External impact assessment of IFPRI's 2020 Vision for Food, Agriculture and the Environment Initiative:

The 2020 Vision initiative of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) was launched late in 1993, at a time of growing global complacency regarding international food security questions. The first phase of the 2020 Vision initiative (1993–96) featured the development of an innovative forward-looking partial equilibrium model of the international food and agriculture sector; the hosting of an extensive series of high profile conferences, workshops, and regional meetings; the publication and distribution of numerous substantive discussion papers, policy briefs, and regional synthesis papers; and the regular publication of a topical newsletter. The goal was to refocus attention on current and future challenges in areas such as food security, agricultural development, rural poverty, and environmental protection; to catalyze a new consensus on these issues within the international policy community; and to encourage policy leaders—both in the donor community and in the developing world—to commit more energy and resources to resolve food security concerns. The present report is an independent effort, commissioned by IFPRI, to measure the actual impact, to date, of this ongoing 2020 Vision initiative. The impacts examined include impacts on three different audiences: researchers and educators, international policy leaders, and developing-country policy leaders. For each of these audiences, an assessment is given as to whether the 2020 Vision initiative significantly “reached” the audience in question with its materials and messages; whether 2020 had an impact on the policy thinking of this audience; and whether 2020 actually catalyzed any new policy actions by this audience. 2020 activities, from materials published by other organizations working in the food security and agricultural development area, and from materials gathered from donors, international organizations, and the nongovernmental organization (NGO) community.Food security., Environmental protection., agricultural development, poverty, Developing countries., Impact assessment,

PRICE BEHAVIOR IN CORN MARKET WITH IDENTITY PRESERVED TYPES

This study examines the price behavior for identity preserved and generic corn under different demand and competition conditions. Simulation results suggest that generic corn has a greater market impact on specialty corn than the reverse, and that increased competition within processing may improve price premia received by corn growers.Demand and Price Analysis,

IMPORT RULES FOR FMD CONTAMINATED BEEF

Under the new WTO trading rules the United States is obligated to revise its beef import policy and has proposed barriers based on classifying nations according to livestock health risks. This research develops a model which captures the impact of various degrees of FMD risk from imports on setting import barriers. The results show that nations classified as high risk for FMD continue to face prohibitive barriers. As outbreak risk falls so does the level of the barrier levied against that exporter. The barrier levels are also sensitive to the expected social losses as influenced by alternative control strategies.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, International Relations/Trade,