Agricultural and rural policies [ LBIRA2105 ]

iCampus

Micro-economics (e.g., LBIR1242 Principes d'économie)

The main topics of this course cover the socio-economic analysis of decisions made in terms of agricultural, food and trade policy, and rural development as well as their micro- and macro-economic effects. An emphasis is given to the study of the socio-economic and environmental implications of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union and its evolution towards a better targeted policy. This policy is compared to policies in place in other developed countries.

With respect to the learning outcomes of the Bio-engineering in agricultural sciences, this course contributes to the following main learning outcomes: 1.1, 1.4, 2.1, 6.4 and 7.1, and to other following learning outcomes: 2.2, 3.1, 3.7, 4.1, 6.1 and 6.2.

By the end of this course, students are able to specify, explain and illustrate:

·       the rationales and implications of supporting the agricultural and food sectors in developed countries,

·       the institutional and political facts related to the evolution of agricultural policies, in particular the Common Agricultural Policy,

·       the theoretical foundations and methodological frameworks for performing policy analysis.

Students are able to :

·       describe, quantify, and discuss the many socio-economic effects of the instruments of agricultural, food and rural policies, in particular the Common Agricultural Policy, using methods from the neo-classical economic and institutional theories.

·       formulate a critical view on the most common instruments of agricultural, food and rural policies.

·       develop and synthesise an analysis of the socio-economic effects of one particular policy instrument in one particular situation of their choice.

Students have acquired the skills to examine the socio-economic effects of the instruments of agricultural, food and rural food policies, in particular the Common Agricultural Policy, using methods from the neo-classical economic and institutional theories and applying them for identifying the micro- and macro-economic effects.

Written exam on the teaching material and lectures (most of the grade)

Term paper (small share of the grade)

Teaching in class using slide shows and overheads.

A term paper of ten pages maximum per group of two students.

After a short introduction on the nature and the process of decision making for economic policy, this course examines the contribution of economics in formulating economic policy, in particular in the agricultural and food sector. The course identifies the keys problems of the agricultural and food sector through its industrial evolution and the current constraints of this sector in Europe. The governmental interventions progressively aimed at the agricultural and food sector and rural areas are then examined and compared among countries with a market economy. The objectives, the instruments and the effects of the Common Agricultural Policy and its successive reforms are emphasized. The food policy of the European Union is analysed within the framework of the Single Market. In parallel to these agricultural, food and rural policies, the effects of the trade policies of countries with a market economy on the international trade are analysed. This analysis introduces the preferential trade agreements of the European Union and the international negotiations of the World Trade Organisation. The course ends with the evolution of the agricultural, food and rural policies at the beginning of this millennium.

Slide shows and overheads available on iCampus

Recommended textbook:

Hill Berkeley.  Understanding the Common Agricultural Policy. Earthscam from Routledge, 2012.

Other publications for complementing this material and supporting the term paper.

Course taught in English with most material in English and some in French.