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Agricultural multifunctionality and trade liberalisation

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  • Thilo Glebe

    (Technische Universität München, Lehrstuhl für VWL-Umweltökonomie und Agrarpolitik, Alte Akademie 14, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan,Germany)

  • Uwe Latacz-Lohmann

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, Christian-Albrechts University, Olshausenstr. 40, 24118 Kiel, Germany)

Abstract

This paper employs a partial equilibrium trade model to analyse the interaction of trade and environmental policy in the context of agriculture’s multifunctionality. We formally demonstrate that free trade is suboptimal if no efficient environmental policy addressing the provision of multifunctional benefits is in place. However, tariff reductions in a large net-importing country reinforce the incentive for that country to introduce environmental policy, though this policy will be strategically distorted to partly substitute for the tariff. Despite its strategic character, this environmental policy programme will unambiguously enhance global welfare if it is introduced in conjunction with tariff reductions. We conclude that, although the multifunctionality argument may lend some support to the criticism of trade liberalisation, the argument is not solid when trade liberalisation induces the introduction of environmental policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Thilo Glebe & Uwe Latacz-Lohmann, 2007. "Agricultural multifunctionality and trade liberalisation," Cahiers d'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, INRA Department of Economics, vol. 82, pages 57-73.
    • Handle: RePEc:rae:jouces:v:82-83:y:2007:p:57-73
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    Cited by:

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    2. Carl GAIGNÉ & Cathie LAROCHE DUPRAZ & Alan MATTHEWS, 2015. "Thirty years of European research on international trade in food and agricultural products," Review of Agricultural and Environmental Studies - Revue d'Etudes en Agriculture et Environnement, INRA Department of Economics, vol. 96(1), pages 91-130.
    3. Rudiger Elsholz & Johannes Harsche, 2014. "Determinants of regional disparities in farm income: markets or policy?," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 16(1), pages 13-36.
    4. Elsholz, Rudiger & Harsche, Johannes, 2011. "Price Changes, Policy Impacts and Instability in Farmers’ Revenues," 2011 International Congress, August 30-September 2, 2011, Zurich, Switzerland 114342, European Association of Agricultural Economists.

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