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Limitations of Certification and Supply Chain Standards for Environmental Protection in Commodity Crop Production

Author

Listed:
  • Kurt B. Waldman
  • John M. Kerr

    (Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824)

Abstract

Motivated by recent increases in water pollution in major US agricultural watersheds and by the shortcomings of government programs to control non–point source pollution, this paper examines the prospects for using product certification (ecolabeling) and business-to-business supply chain standards for environmental protection in commodity crop production. We introduce the sources of demand for certification and supply chain standards and the political and economic context in which they have expanded since the 1990s. We explore how various agrifood certification and supply chain standards have been used to achieve changes in production methods and/or in product attributes to meet social goals, and we discuss the prospects for applying these models to commodity crops. We conclude that the nature of corn and soybean production, distribution, and consumption—with numerous sales outlets and invisible consumption as part of processed foods and other products—makes certification schemes to limit agricultural pollution unrealistic and supply chain standards extremely challenging.

Suggested Citation

  • Kurt B. Waldman & John M. Kerr, 2014. "Limitations of Certification and Supply Chain Standards for Environmental Protection in Commodity Crop Production," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 6(1), pages 429-449, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:anr:reseco:v:6:y:2014:p:429-449
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    File URL: http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-resource-100913-012432
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew Gerard & Maria Claudia Lopez & Aaron M. McCright, 2019. "Coffee Roasters’ Sustainable Sourcing Decisions and Use of the Direct Trade Label," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Johan Swinnen & Alessandro Olper & Senne Vandevelde, 2021. "From unfair prices to unfair trading practices: Political economy, value chains and 21st century agri‐food policy," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 52(5), pages 771-788, September.
    3. Cloé Garnache & Scott M. Swinton & Joseph A. Herriges & Frank Lupi & R. Jan Stevenson, 2016. "Solving the Phosphorus Pollution Puzzle: Synthesis and Directions for Future Research," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 98(5), pages 1334-1359.
    4. Verheyen, Wouter & Kołacz, Marta K., 2022. "Enhancing safety in B2C delivery chains," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 12-22.
    5. Simon L. Bager & Eric F. Lambin, 2020. "Sustainability strategies by companies in the global coffee sector," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3555-3570, December.
    6. Nína M. Saviolidis & Gudrun Olafsdottir & Mariana Nicolau & Antonella Samoggia & Elise Huber & Laura Brimont & Matthew Gorton & David von Berlepsch & Hildigunnur Sigurdardottir & Margherita Del Prete , 2020. "Stakeholder Perceptions of Policy Tools in Support of Sustainable Food Consumption in Europe: Policy Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-24, September.
    7. Tannis Thorlakson, 2018. "A move beyond sustainability certification: The evolution of the chocolate industry's sustainable sourcing practices," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(8), pages 1653-1665, December.
    8. Harris, Leah M. & Swinton, Scott M. & Shupp, Robert S., 2014. "Experimental auctions to evaluate incentives for cost-effective agricultural phosphorus abatement in the Great Lakes," 2014 Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2014, Minneapolis, Minnesota 170287, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    9. Agata Gurzawska & Markus Mäkinen & Philip Brey, 2017. "Implementation of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) Practices in Industry: Providing the Right Incentives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-26, September.
    10. Berthet, Alice & Vincent, Audrey & Fleury, Philippe, 2021. "Water quality issues and agriculture: An international review of innovative policy schemes," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    11. Susanne Freidberg, 2023. "Metrics and Mētis: work and practical knowledge in Agri-food sustainability governance," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(1), pages 245-257, March.

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