Paper now online: Evaluation of cost-effectiveness of organic farming support as an agri-environmental measure at Swiss agricultural sector level

New paper published in Land Use Policy

Evaluation of cost-effectiveness of organic farming support as an agri-environmental measure at Swiss agricultural sector level

New paper, based on Christian Schader's PhD is now available on Land Use Policy

Schader, Lampkin, Christie, Nemecek, Gaillard and Stolze (2013), Evaluation of cost-effectiveness of organic farming support as an agri-environmental measure at Swiss agricultural sector level. Land Use Policy 31, 196-208.

Abstract

The economic efficiency of financial support of organic farming has been questioned by economists and policy makers. However, little empirical research has been done in order to evaluate the economic performance of these payments. Thus, the aim of this paper is to calculate the cost-effectiveness of organic farming support in achieving environmental policy targets compared to other agri-environmental measures.

The cost-effectiveness of agri-environmental measures can be understood as a function of policy uptake, environmental effects, and public expenditure. Taking the Swiss agricultural sector as an empirical case study, cost-effectiveness of organic farming support and other single agri-environmental measures was calculated. For this purpose, the sector-representative PMP model FARMIS was extended by three modules encompassing: (a) life cycle assessments for fossil energy use, biodiversity and eutrophication according to the SALCA methodology, (b) public expenditure, including policy-related transaction costs, and (c) uptake of agri-environmental measures.

The calculations revealed a slightly higher policy cost with organic farming support of 14 CHF/ha for a 1% average improvement in the environmental indicators, compared to a combination of three single agri-environmental measures (11 CHF/ha), including both extensification of arable land and meadows. In view of an average public expenditure on agriculture of 2.5 kCHF/ha in Switzerland, these differences can be considered as marginal. Sensitivity analyses confirm that the cost-effectiveness of organic farming support is very similar to combined agri-environmental measures. Furthermore, the model reveals that the cost-effectiveness of specific agri-environmental measures is higher when implemented on organic farms rather than on non-organic farms.

For more details, goto: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837712001196 

South Pole training trip to Norway

Pole of Possibility: Arm-power to the South Pole

Training trip to Norway - Jan 2013

Karen on her snow bike

I'm just back from a 2 week training 'mini-expedition' to Norway in preparation for my forth-coming 'Pole of Possibility' expedition to the South Pole. The Norway trip was a great success, and provided us with the opportunity to test our kit (thanks to Berghaus who sponsored us) and our skills. 

Karen is paralysed from the chest down and will be the first paraplegic to 'ski' to the Pole. Her snow bike (above) looks fantastic, but unfortunately didn't perform very well in soft snow and Karen had to revert back to her 'sit ski' for much of the trip (which she has used previously to 'sit ski' across Greenland).  

For more info on the expedition goto: http://www.poleofpossibility.com/

Enjoy the photos...

Mike

Karen on her sit ski

The PoP Team: Simon Darke, Karen Darke, Mike Christie and Andy Kirkpatrick 

Unfortunately, when the bike didn't work, someone had to tow it!

Another peaceful night in the tent

Tucked up in our cosy tent. We also managed to 'fix' Simon's snoring!

A bit of ice climbing as a treat to finish off the trip

If you are into ice climbing, I can highly recommend Rjukan in Norway.
Also, you should stay at the Climbing Inn.