This thesis contains three essays on topics in agricultural economics. Essays one and two share a focus on international trade and economic development, and essays two and three apply dynamic tools to agricultural economic policy issues.<p>Essay one analyses trade-related implications of a developing country's decision to adopt genetically-modified crop technology. A fixed-proportions model is constructed that evaluates the welfare implications of a range of adoption policies and export market responses. The model in this essay illustrates the importance of the prospective adopter formulating a projection of probable export market effects before making an adoption decision and of the role that high transaction costs may play in a developing country's adoption decision. The model also considers the effects of a new policy tool; a check-off style levy on genetically-modified technology in place of a technology-use agreement. A levy could be useful tool in developing countries, which are characterised by high transaction costs. <p>Essay two models the effects of emergency food aid on a recipient country's agricultural industry. This essay formulates a definition of needed aid in the context of a food emergency and constructs an optimal control model that solves a path of aid shipments that best meets that need. The effects of a range of food aid paths on recipient-country agricultural production are illustrated through numerical simulations. There are two key results. First, a non-optimal amount of aid can hinder a recipient-country's recovery from an exogenous food shock. Second, an exogenous shock can affect farmer revenue and therefore impact planting decisions. This effect must be considered in aid allocation policies. <p>Essay three uses time-series econometric techniques to develop a demand model that assesses the effectiveness of commodity advertising. This essay describes the importance of considering long-run and dynamic effects in demand systems, especially in the case of closely substitutable commodities. A demand system that tests for and accommodates dynamic and time-series properties is developed and applied to US meat data. The results of this model are compared to a traditional static demand system. The dynamic model produces econometrically and theoretically sound results and generates some more intuitively appealing estimates.

Flax is one of the major cash crops in Canada. Approximately seventy percent of Canadian flaxseed was exported to European Union (EU) annually until 2009. In 2009, the EU imposed an import ban on Canadian flaxseed due to the adventitious presence of a GM flax variety - CDC Triffid was identified in Canadian flaxseed exported to the EU. The EUs decision to apply zero tolerance on CDC Triffid flax has been based on its interpretation of the precautionary principle. According to the World Trade Organisations Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), however, precautionary measures are subject to a scientific risk assessment. As the EU did not base its zero tolerance for CDC Triffid flax on any scientific risk assessment, the EU is in violation of the SPS Agreement. Moreover, the EU has ignored the available scientific information regarding CDC Triffid flax. The EU did not consider the possibility of following the guidelines given by Codex Alimentarius Commission in the case of CDC Triffid flax. There are non-scientific reasons behind the EUs zero tolerance on CDC Triffid flax and they overweigh the available scientific information. The EU position would be unlikely to be supported if a complaint was brought to the World Trade Organisation Disputes Panel. A partial equilibrium model was used to provide a theoretical background to examine the changes in the flaxseed industry and the linseed oil industry due to the CDC Triffid event. A model of the supply chain of Canadian flaxseed was developed to illustrate the operationalisation of the Protocol developed by the EU and Canada to address the zero tolerance policy. Empirical estimation suggests that the operationalisation of the Protocol incurred additional cost of $7.5 million to the flax seed industry of Canada in 2009/ 2010. Out of that, cost of testing was approximately $1.2 million and cost of segregation was $4.2 million. Estimation of changes in revenue suggests that there was a loss of revenue in flaxseed trade between the EU and Canada in 2009/2010. Imports of Canadian flax by China provided an alternative market, at a considerably lower price than typically realised from the EU market. Interestingly, the EUs zero tolerance policy on CDC Triffid flax has resulted in a larger additional cost on the EU than Canada.

This study describes development of methods for screening, identification and quantification of genetic modifications in maize samples. Totally 88 maize samples were collected randomly throughout Turkey in three years from 2006 to 2008 and were analyzed. Two maize samples that were detected as GM positive in previous studies were selected as positive controls. Following the DNA extraction by manual CTAB method, conventional PCR methods were employed for screening of genetic modifications in samples by detecting of P-35S and T-NOS. Qualitative PCR methods were conducted for target specific detection of cry and pat genes. Construct-specific and event-specific PCR assays were designed for detection of Bt11, Bt10 and Mon810 maize events. Specific primers and corresponding probes labeled with reporter and quencher dyes were designed for both absolute and relative quantification of Bt11 and Mon810 in samples by using TaqMan probe method. Comparing the absolute and relative quantification results indicates that there is correlation between them. In order to verify the accuracy of the quantification methods, three parallel applications were conducted according to the CRL validated protocol. The statistical analyses were performed to check the precision and repeatability of the quantification experiments by in-house validation methods. Regarding the Repeatability Relative Standard Deviation (RSDr) values of absolute and relative quantifications of Bt11 and Mon810 systems majority of the validation results accomplish the ENGL requirements for quantification of GMOs. According to screening assays, the overall results indicate that five samples (H3, H48, H73, 4M, 4G) were detected as GM positive. While the samples H3 and H48 were identified as Bt11, it was shown that the sample 4M and 4G contains both of the Bt11 and Mon810 maize events. Bt11 quantification results show samples H3 and 4G respectively with 1.06% and 5.36% exceed the 0.9% threshold level. Amount of Mon810 in samples was determined as 1.33 % for 4M and 17.32% for 4G which is higher than 0.9% threshold level. Sample H73 which was detected as GM positive did not contain Bt11 and Mon810 maize events. Since the methods developed in this study reduce dependence on commercial kits they would contribute to expansion of GMO testing in Turkey with lower cost. However the methods developed in this work should be extended to other maize events and their validation procedure should be completed.

Advances in DNA micro and macroarray technologies made these high-throughput systems good candidates for the development of cheaper, faster and easier qualitative and quantitative detection methods. In this study, a simple and cost effective sandwich hybridization-based method has been developed for the rapid and sensitive detection of various unmodified recombinant elements in transgenic plants. Attention was first focused on the optimization of conditions such as time, concentration and temperature using commercial ssDNA, which in turn could be used for real sample detection. In this sandwich-type DNA chip platform, capture probes complementary to the first half of recombinant element (target adapter) were immobilized onto poly-L-lysine covered conventional microscope slides. PCR-amplified un-purified target adapter and biotin labeled detection probe, which is complementary to the second half of target adapter, were hybridized in solution-phase to complementary capture probes to create a sandwiched tripartite complex. Later, hybridization signal was visualized by the attachment of streptavidin conjugated Quantum Dot to the sandwiched complex under UV illumination. Sandwich based array system that has been developed in this study allows multiplex screening of GMO events on a single DNA chip platform. 35S promoter, NOS terminator, CRY1Ab and BAR target sequences were successfully detected on the same DNA chip platform. The platform was able to detect unlabeled PCR amplified DNA fragments of CaMV 35S promoter sequence and NOS terminator and BAR transgene sequences from transgenic potato plants and NK603 Certified GMO Reference material, respectively. The DNA-chip platform developed in this study will allow multiple detection of label-free PCR-amplified transgenic elements from real GMO samples on a single slide via a cost effective, fast, reliable and sensitive sandwich hybridization assay.

This paper attempts to present and analyze problems that may arise from the use of Genetically Modified (GM) products and issues raised by the Intellectual Property (IP) rights that Genetic Engineering (GE) companies have on their products. Arguments in favor and against the existence of health risks and environmental risks of GM products are presented. The European policy of the socioeconomic effects of the GM products is discussed and is proposed the application of the precautionary principle for the prevention of unintended consequences from the GM products to other than health and environmental domains. The need of IP rights is supported, but is also suggested an IP rights flexibility. Do IP rights violate the rights of all people to a nourishing life, natural resources, the right to decide about what they eat and the right to live in a viable ecosystem? Finally, I provide an analysis of the effects on the farmers due to the IP rights on GM crop for cultivation and state dependency issues that may occur.

Tyrimo objektas – genetiškai modifikuotų augalininkystės produktų gamyba. Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti ir įvertinti genetiškai modifikuotų augalininkystės produktų gamybos teigiamus ir neigiamus efektus. Darbo uždaviniai: • išanalizuoti genetiškai modifikuotų organizmų ir genetiškai modifikuotų produktų atsiradimo priežastis, rizikos aplinkai ir žmonių sveikatai vertinimo tikslus bei principus; • įvertinti politikos vaidmenį kuriant genetiškai modifikuotus organizmus ir genetiškai modifikuotus produktus; • identifikuoti genetiškai modifikuotų augalininkystės produktų gamybos ypatumus; • išanalizuoti genetiškai modifikuotų augalininkystės produktų gamybos ekonominę naudą ir grėsmes; • įvertinti vartotojų požiūrį į genetiškai modifikuotus augalininkystės produktus pasaulyje ir Lietuvoje; • nustatyti genetiškai modifikuotos augalininkystės produktų gamybos plėtotės perspektyvas. Tyrimo metodai – analizės, sintezės, monografinis, statistinių duomenų analizės, palyginimo, grafinio vaizdavimo bei empirinis tyrimo. Studijuojant Lietuvos bei užsienio autorių mokslinę bei periodinę literatūrą, Lietuvos Respublikos įstatymus, teisės aktus bei Europos Sąjungos direktyvas nagrinėjamu klausimu, naudojant statistinius leidinius magistrantūros studijų baigiamajame darbe išanalizuota genetiškai modifikuotų augalininkystės produktų gamybos ekonominė nauda ir grėsmės, atliktas genetiškai modifikuotų augalininkystės produktų gamybos plėtotės vertinimas socialiniu, ekonominiu ir ekologiniu... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Research object – genetically modified agricultural production. Research aim – to traverse the production of genetically modified agricultural commodities, determine and evaluate its impacts both positive and negative. Objectives: • to traverse the origins of genetically modified organisms and their adaptability in genetically modified commodities and to set the levels of the environmental risk and the impact on the wellness of humanity by providing the aims and principles of their evaluation; • to appraise the role of politics regarding the establishment of genetically modified organisms and genetically modified commodities; • to identify resident peculiarities of the genetically modified agricultural production; • to analyse economic benefit and risk of genetically modified agricultural production; • to evaluate the consumer’s approach towards the genetically modified agricultural commodities considering the internal scope as well as the global one; • to appoint the eventual perspectives of the expansion concerning the production of genetically modified agricultural commodities. Research methods – analysis, synthesis, monograph, statistical information analysis, comparison, graphical and empirical methods. By studying the scientific and periodical sources, analysing statistical data, legislations, directives and legislative notes of Lithuanian Republic and the European Union regarding the pending inquiry. This work determines the economical threats and advantages regarding... [to full text]

This dissertation discusses the concepts of Food Security and Food Sovereignty and the introduction of biotechnology into the international agricultural sector. It specifically focuses on the effects of the introduction of Genetically Modified seeds and Intellectual Property Rights. By discussing the effects of biotechnology and the concurrent implementation of neoliberal market-oriented economic policies, this dissertation aims to highlight international Food Regime developments during the last half century. In South Africa, the case study, these developments have bifurcated the national agricultural sector and strengthened the relationship between Agricultural Trans National Corporations and subsequent governments. This has led to the promotion of large-scale commercial farmers in the formal market sector, at the expense of the food sovereignty of smallscale traditional farmers in the informal market sector. A substantial portion of this discussion concerns the role and behaviour of the United States, as the dominant economic power post World War II. Strategic agricultural support given to individual nations during the Cold War, shaped the contemporary international Food Regime. In addition, the United States' Food Aid program (an attempt to resolve its overproduction) and its promotion of neo-liberal policies through supranational institutions have created an environment in which Agricultural Trans-national Corporations have emerged, consolidated and become increasingly influential. By embracing biotechnologies and lobbying governments to assist in their introduction and protection, these Agricultural Trans National Corporations have substantially altered the relationship between farmers and their crops. This dissertation analyses the South African agricultural sector in the light of the international Food Regime, taking into account its domestic legacy. A legacy characterized by: Centuries of discriminatory policies; a close relationship between the governments of the United States and South Africa; neoliberal friendly economic policies; the adoption and promotion of biotechnologies; Intellectual Property Right legislation; and a heavily bifurcated agricultural sector in which small-scale traditional farmers are effectively losing their Food Sovereignty. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

How can we think of power in the form of a seed? This thesis will trace the discourse of "improvement" from its seventeenth century use by John Locke to justify the appropriation of Aboriginal lands in North America to the inter-locked languages of improvement and development in the twenty-first century in the context of genetically engineered food aid. This paper also explores the nature of sovereignty in a biopolitical age, arguing that the improvement discourse is operationalized on the ground through a diffuse power that trades on claims of improving the bios as whole. The paper concludes with a discussion of the food sovereignty movement as a possible practical and epistemological break for farmers in the Global North and South from the hegemony of this war by other means.

Darbo tikslas. Įvertinti darbuotojų požiūrį į genetiškai modifikuotų maisto produktų ir maisto priedų vartojimą. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti darbuotojų požiūrį į genetiškai modifikuotus maisto produktus. 2. Nustatyti darbuotojų požiūrį į maisto priedus. 3. Įvertinti pagrindinius veiksnius sąlygojančius maisto produktų pasirinkimą. Tyrimo metodika. Tyrimo metu buvo išdalinta 190 anketų. Gauta užpildyta 160 anketų. Atsakymo į anketos klausimus dažnis – 84,2 proc. Apklausos duomenys analizuoti naudojant SPSS 15.0 „for Windows“ programinį paketą bei MS Exel lenteles. Hipotezės tikrintos taikant df ir χ² testus, nustačius reikšmingumo lygį p<0,05. Rezultatai. Didesnė dalis apklaustųjų neigiamai vertina GM maisto produktus, taip nurodė 56,9 proc. 56,2 proc. moterų ir 70,0 proc. vyrų, mano, kad GM maisto produktai yra kenksmingi. GM maisto produktus vartoja 20,0 proc. apklaustųjų moterų ir 30,0 proc. vyrų. Maisto priedus neigiamai vertina 35,0 proc. apklaustųjų, tačiau 91,9 proc. respondentų perka maisto produktus, kurių sudėtyje yra maisto priedų. Informacijos apie maisto priedus, darbo vietoje norėtų gauti 50,5 proc. moterų ir 60,0 proc. vyrų. Kad maisto priedai yra kenksmingi ir gali turėti neigiamą poveikį žmogaus sveikatai, mano 56,1 proc. respondentų. Išvados. 1. Genetiškai modifikuotus maisto produktus vartoja įvairaus amžiaus, išsilavinimo ir skirtingas pajamas gaunantys respondentai. Vyresni respondentai dažniau GM maisto produktus vertina neigiamai: iki 35 metų - 44... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the work. To assess the employees’ attitude to the consumption of the genetically modified products and food additives. The goals of the work. 1. To determine the approach of the employees to the genetically modified products. 2. To determine the approach of the employees to food additives. 3. To assess the main factors which determine the choice of the food products. The methodology of the research. 190 questionnaires were distributed during the research. 160 questionnaires were completed. The data of the survey were analyzed by using the software package SPSS 15.0 “for Windows”. Hypotheses were checked by applying for the df and χ2 tests, and the appointed significance level is p<0,05. The results. 56,9 % of the respondents negatively assesses genetically modified products. 56,2 % of the questioned women and 70,0 % of the questioned men think that GM food is harmful. GM food is used by the 20,0 % of the questioned women and the 30,0 % of the questioned men. The food additives are assessed negatively by the 35,0 % of respondents, but 91,9 % of the questioned buy the products with the additives. 50,5 % of women and 60,0 % of men would like to get the information about the food additives at their workplace. 56,1 % of the respondents think that food additives are harmful and could have a negative influence on the person’s health. Conclusions: 1. Genetically modified productsare used by the respondents of different age, education and having the... [to full text]

Darbo tikslas buvo įvertinti biokatalizatorių įtaką akrilamido formavimuisi ruginės duonos gaminiuose bei RS 190 modifikuotų mielių įtaką kvietinių miltų 550 C tipo technologinių savybių pagerinimui, pritaikant juos pusruginės duonos gamybai. Nustatyta, kad L. delbruecki intensyviau mažina terpės pH (3,35) nei P. acidilactici (4,32), tačiau, žaliavos apcukrinimui naudojant gliukoamilolitinius fermentus, fermentacijos procesą galima suintensyvinti. Žaliavos apcukrinimas fermentais įtakoja didesnį P. acidilactici proteolitinių fermentų aktyvumą rauguose. L. delbruecki fermentuoti kepiniai gaunami geresnės kokybės nei fermentuoti P. acidilactici. P. acidilactici fermentuotų kepinių kokybę galima pagerinti naudojant optimalų gliukoamilazės kiekį (0,05 ml). 0,030 ml gliukoamilazės panaudojimas žaliavos apcukrinimui, lėtina kepinių žiedėjimą (minkštimo struktūra pakito: su 0,03 ml – 2,15, su 0,05 ml – 2,54 karto). Akrilamido formavimuisi turi įtakos ne tik fermentacijai naudotos PRB, bet ir kepinio dydis (500 g kepiniuose vidutinis akrilamido kiekis 61,55 µ/kg, 1000 g - 40,48 µ/kg). Tirtų kvietinių miltų fizikinės struktūrinės savybės yra tinkamos mielinių kepinių gamybai, o modifikuotų mielių priedas yra tinkama priemonė kvietinių kepinių kokybės rodikliams pagerinti. 550 C tipo kvietinius miltus su modifikuotų mielių priedu panaudojus pusruginių kepinių gamybai galima pagerinti kepinių akytumą ir padidinti drėgnį, tačiau, kitos savybės nepakinta, arba gaunamos prastesnės. Šis... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The goal of the thesis was to assess the impact of biocatalysts on the formation of acrylamide in rye bread and to determine the impact of genetically modified yeast RS 190 on improvement of technological properties of wheat flour 550 C by applying them for semi-rye bread making. It has been established that L. delbruecki decreases pH (3,35) medium more intensively than P. acidilactici (4,32), however by using glucoamylolytic enzymes for scald making fermentation process may be intensified. The use of enzymes for scald production results in a better activity of P. acidilactici proteolytic enzymes in leaven. L. delbruecki fermented bread are received of a better quality than fermented P. acidilactici. The quality of P. acidilactici fermented bread may be improved by using an optimum amount of glucoamylase (0,05 ml). Using of 0,030 ml glucoamylase for the scald producion slows staling process of bread (structure of the crumb changed as follows: with 0,03 ml – 2,15, with 0,05 ml – 2,54 times). The formation of acrylamide is influenced not only by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) used for fermentation, but also, by the size of bread (in 500 g pastry goods – midle acrylamide content61,55 µ/kg, in 1000 g - 40,48 µ/kg) as well. Physical structural properties of investigated wheat flour are suitable for making bread, whereas genetically modified yeast supplement is a suitable means for improvement of quality indicators of wheat bread. By using 550 C type wheat flour with... [to full text]