Search

Abstracts: 'Implicit Prices for Resource Quality Investments in Quebec's Agricultural Land Market'. Public concern for the sustainability of agriculture has resulted in the development of policies and projects to protect [...]

Byline: Stephen Seres, Paul J. Thomassin The demand for fossil fuels by Ontario's conventional steam power generation sector is examined in this paper. It is hypothesised that the enactment of a carbon fee policy will induce a change in the relative prices of the three fuels used in this sector (coal, natural gas and heavy fuel oil). This would lead to substantial interfuel substitution and greenhouse gas abatement. The demand share equations for the three fuels are derived from the translog functional form and set in a simulation model to estimate the value of a carbon fee necessary, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in compliance with the Kyoto Protocol. Results suggest that a fuel specific carbon fee policy would be successful in achieving the desired emissions reduction at a negligible net cost to society.

Grasslands are the predominant forage source for grazing animals and cover more of the Earth's land than any other major vegetation type. Their values are not always recognised, and conversion to other uses is continuing at a high rate leading to greater environmental and socio‐economic problems. Overgrazing is one of the main drivers of productivity decline of grasslands, reflecting the pressures from excessive human populations and a demand for food. Some 20% of the world's grasslands are in a severely degraded state; others have suffered shifts to less‐desirable species. Biodiversity and greenhouse gas production have also been particular concerns. Estimates of productivity change all show a decline over recent decades, yet animal numbers continue to increase, particularly in the developing world. This paper critically reviews the projected demands for livestock products, driven largely by human population growth; the current health of the world's grasslands and how current livestock systems that depend on land conversion and overexploitation of grassland are inappropriate and need to be improved. Central to this argument is that small holders in the developing world will be responsible for a large amount of the future red meat production, and this can be achieved through more efficient livestock production systems using lower stocking rates. The Australian sheep industry is provided as an example of how livestock production and reduced environmental impacts can be achieved with improved efficiency. Changes will require smallholders to transition to a competitive, market‐oriented livestock industry, which will provide challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is the most comprehensive trade agreement in the world. The TPP will help deepen Canada's trade ties in the dynamic and fast growing Asia-Pacific region while strengthening existing economic partnerships with NAFTA partners and across Americas. The TPP will eliminate tariffs on almost all of Canada's key exports and offer access to new opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. Tariffs and other barriers on a wide range of Canadian products from various sectors will be reduced, including in agriculture and agri-food, fish and seafood, forestry and wood products, metals and mining and industrial goods. These benefits can only be derived if USA ratifies it. However, the US president has already signed a presidential memorandum confirming the US withdrawal from the TPP agreement. With this background, the current study evaluates the economic impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreements on the Canadian economy by the year 2030 using a global CGE framework. The study undertakes a number of simulations based on the level of tariff reduction across selected commodities between Canada and other TPP Nations. The GTAP 9 Data Base with the reference year of 2011 is used for the study. Results show that Canada stands to benefit significantly from improved access to the TPP region. Canada expects a considerable increase in agricultural export. Canola, processed food and beverages, seafood, beef and pork sectors are expected to benefit from the deal. Industrial goods like farming and construction equipment, metal and mineral, transport equipment, machinery would gain from TPP agreements. The agreement would help increase Canada's manufacturing and exporting output. The banking sector is also expected to benefit from the deal. Additionally, a significant number of skilled and unskilled employment is likely to generate in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2010, China has changed its position in the world grain market from a net exporter to a net importer. The total grain trade deficit was $420 million in 2010. However, the increasing grain import contradicts its food security policy of achieving a 95% grain self-sufficiency rate. Additionally, Chinese agricultural productivity is lower than the world average, and much lower than high-income countries, which puts grave pressure on the country's food security target. Toward this end, the study investigates China's food security status in 2030 and the impact of alternative policies on food security. A global CGE framework (GTAP) has been used to estimate the impact of agriculture and trade policy interventions on food security in China. A recursive process is used to project the model to 2050 under business as usual. The study has attempted various scenarios to study the impact of food security in China. The results from this study suggest that China is expected to achieve a grain self-sufficiency level of a little above 90% by the year 2030. The meat tariff reduction has a greater positive impact on China's food security than the other scenarios. In addition, most of the policies are beneficial for national welfare. The total value of agricultural imports and exports are expected to increase substantially. In addition, the current Red Line arable land protection policy (1800 million mu) is determined to be insufficient to allow for the production of enough grain by 2030 to meet the desired 95% self-sufficiency rate. Study results indicate that arable land should be strictly protected for food production against pressure from industrialization and urbanization. However, it is only part of the food security solution and, policy interventions are required to ensure that China's food security targets are met. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood pellets are one of the most promising alternatives to fossil fuel in Canada. Using wood pellets for heating allows saving on heating source expenses as compared to fossil fuels. Moreover, direct carbon emissions from wood pellets are regarded as carbon neutral since regrowth of vegetation captures and stores carbon that already exists in the atmosphere. Using wood pellets as a heating fuel for greenhouse vegetable production is expected to result in less greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. Increasing the domestic consumption of wood pellets for greenhouse heating in Canada would reduce the environmental impact of energy consumption. This study investigates the potential of using wood pellets as an alternative fuel for commercial greenhouses in Quebec. This study applied a life-cycle analysis to demonstrate the energy flows and environmental consequences of using wood pellets for greenhouse vegetable production. The results found that greenhouse gas emissions from wood pellets are lower than natural gas in greenhouse operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood pellets are one of the most promising alternatives to fossil fuel in Canada. Using wood pellets for heating allows saving on heating source expenses as compared to fossil fuels. Moreover, direct carbon emissions from wood pellets are regarded as carbon neutral since regrowth of vegetation captures and stores carbon that already exists in the atmosphere. Using wood pellets as a heating fuel for greenhouse vegetable production is expected to result in less greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. Increasing the domestic consumption of wood pellets for greenhouse heating in Canada would reduce the environmental impact of energy consumption. This study investigates the potential of using wood pellets as an alternative fuel for commercial greenhouses in Quebec. This study applied a life-cycle analysis to demonstrate the energy flows and environmental consequences of using wood pellets for greenhouse vegetable production. The results found that greenhouse gas emissions from wood pellets are lower than natural gas in greenhouse operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the globalization of the economic activities is the main trend, regionalism in the form of regional economic integration also began to develop around the end of the 20th century and has grown more rapidly in the 21st century. The current study evaluates the economy wide impact of trade liberalization in ASEAN region along with China, Japan and Korea (ASEAN+3) by the year 2020. The study also assesses the environmental impact of the trade liberalization in the region. Result shows that the countries under agreement (ASEAN+3) will benefit with increased output, and welfare due to liberalization. Further, the region not under agreement in the world will show a decline in output. Though Vietnam will be gaining with highest output growth among the ASEAN region, but the negative impact on the environment would also be expected. The implications on the environment will not be unfavourable for other participating countries under the agreement except Vietnam. This analysis provides useful insight in pursuing greater trade liberalization among the countries under the study with a "win-win strategy". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the response of the Quebec cropping sector to the introduction of carbon credit revenue made available through the implementation of a domestic emission trading and offset system in Canada. Eligible carbon sequestering practices investigated include adoption of moderate tillage and no-till as well as conversion to a permanent cover crop. Monetary demand for greenhouse gas emissions offsets from the cropping sector is endogenized in the objective function of the Canadian Regional Agriculture Model (CRAM). Changes in cropping sector practices induced by the introduction of carbon prices ranging from $5 to $50 per tonne CO2e are compared to a baseline. Results indicate that almost all of the potential to sequester carbon in agricultural soils in Quebec would lie in the conversion to permanent cover. Le présent article a examiné la réaction du secteur des cultures du Québec à l'introduction de revenus qui proviendraient de la vente de crédits carbone à la suite de la mise en place de systèmes d'échange de droits d'émissions et de compensations pour les gaz à effet de serre (GES) au Canada. Les pratiques de séquestration du carbone admissibles analysées comprenaient le travail réduit du sol, le semis direct et l'établissement d'une couverture végétale permanente. La demande monétaire pour l'obtention de crédits compensatoires de la part du secteur des cultures a été endogénéisée dans la fonction-objective du modèle d'analyse régionale de l'agriculture du Canada (CRAM). Les modifications de pratiques du secteur des cultures suscitées par l'introduction de prix du carbone, variant entre 5 $ et 50 $ la tonne d'équivalent-CO2, ont été comparées à une base de référence. Les résultats ont montré que la quasi-totalité du potentiel des sols agricoles du Québec à séquestrer le carbone réside dans l'établissement de couvertures végétales permanentes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research investigates the potential for the inclusion of lupins (Lupinus spp.) in the crop mix of a typical dairy farmer in Southwestern Quebec. This crop is an alternative legume crop to soybean but it contributes to a greater reduction in soil loss and more nitrogen being fixed for future crops than soybean. Results of a linear programming approach to the problem indicate that the crop can be profitably included in the crop mix with environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addresses the task of endogenizing the household sector in a rectangular input-output (IO) model, on both theoretical and empirical fronts. Extended formulation of Miyazawa (1976) for square models to the development of an impact matrix for rectangular model; Modified version of the IO model from the Canadian National Accounts Division of Statistics Canada.

Explores articles and topics related to the contribution of agriculture and forestry sectors to greenhouse gas management in Canada, featured in a 2005 issue of "Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics."

Abstract The study estimates the annual costs of nontyphoidal Salmonellosis (referred to as Salmonellosis from hereon) from fresh produce, poultry and eggs in Canada. It also estimates the economic benefits from introduction of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in detection of Salmonellosis clusters and outbreaks. Monetary and non-monetary costs from Salmonellosis are estimated. Monetary costs are divided into direct healthcare, indirect, federal and producer costs. Probability models are used to account for uncertainty in the cost-of-illness estimates. Two types of non-monetary costs have been estimated: Disability-adjusted Live Years and Quality-adjusted Life Years. These estimates are then used to calculate the economic impact of WGS on detection of Salmonellosis. The estimated incidence of illnesses is 47,082 annually, which represents a cost of $287.78 million (total cases) and $166.28 million (reported cases) from the traditional technology. The total net benefit from introduction of WGS is estimated to range from $5.21 million-$90.25 million. All monetary values are in CAD unless stated otherwise. WGS will help in reducing the economic burden from Salmonellosis. These estimates help will aid policy related decision making. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Salmonellosis in Canada from fresh produce, poultry and eggs are 47,082 annually. • PFGE cost is $287 million for Salmonellosis in Canada. • DALY and QALY is estimated to be 529 and 289 respectively. • The net benefits of WGS ranging from $5–$90 million. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]