Integration of Agricultural and Environment Policies

The following major points are particularly relevant to the integration of agricultural and environmental policies:

Use of manure and artificial fertilisers | Opportunities exist for more efficient use of animal manure as an agricultural fertilizer, in a way that increases farm income. Abolish subsidies on fertilizers and if necessary introduce levies on fertilisers to increase the value of animal manure.
Pollution and animal waste | The adverse effects of agricultural pollution from inappropriate disposal and storage of animal manure can be efficiently reduced by applying the "polluter pays" principle to agriculture. The effectiveness of regulations to reduce agricultural pollution is heavily dependent on the degree to which they are enforced. Include technical specifications for farm buildings and manure storage in the permits to operate an industrial livestock farm.
Trade and tariff agreements | International trade and tariff arrangements have an important influence on the location and intensity of agricultural production and, through this, the severity of agricultural pollution problems.
Prices, levies and taxes | The relative prices of feed and other inputs can be used to manipulate practices that cause agricultural pollution, in an environmentally favourable manner. Levies and taxes are likely to be more effective if the money collected is used to finance agricultural pollution control and prevention activities. Incorporate the cost of disposal of manure in the price of the product. Stimulate the use of waste and by-products in feed through reducing prices and taxing the disposal of waste products, introduction of a levy on waste and by-products (this will reduce their price when they are used for feed).
Social conditions | In developing integrated policies, it is important to give full consideration to regional differences in physical, ecological and social conditions.
Active encouragement | Introduction of certificates for environmentally friendly produced products.

> > [Livestock & Environment Toolbox Home]