Dominique Vermersch

Are the Precautionary Principle and the International Trade of Genetically Modified Organisms Reconcilable

This paper seeks to find possibilities forreconciliation of the implementation of theprecautionary principle and the promotion ofinternational trade of genetically modified organisms,based on the assumption that a sustainabledevelopment is a right objective to strive for. Itstarts with an explanation of the background and therole of the precautionary principle, and describes inwhat way measures based on the precautionary principlecan easily lead to the creation of trade barriers. Thearticle then examines to what extent the WTO (WorldTrade Organisation) Agreements allow theimplementation of the precautionary principle. Inaddition, structural conflicts between the perceptionof the precautionary principle and the concept oftrade liberalisation will be evoked. The last sectionof the paper analyses to what extent the WTO rulesprovide possibilities to avoid or solve theseconflicts in order to attempt to answer the mainquestion: are the precautionary principle and theinternational trade of genetically modified organismsreconcilable?

Abatement of agricultural pollution and economic incentives: The case of intensive livestock farming in France

Amongst possible economic incentives to encourage reduced nitrate contamination of water, this paper emphasizes a nitrogen tax as a possible solution. This finding is based on models estimated from panel data for 100 intensive livestock farms. For each farm a threshold is established (nitrogen units which can be spread per hectare without damage) above which there is an excess of nitrogen. The 100 farms can consequently be classified into two subsamples. The demand for nitrogen is derived for each sub-sample using the dual approach. Both categories are pooled together and a tobit model is estimated. This is used to derive total nitogen demand if all farms were under the threshold. A mineral nitrogen tax would lead to a reduced nitrate concentration in water supplies, because of a more efficient use of organic nitrogen together with a reduction in the use of mineral nitrogen in crop production.

Derivation of Long-run Factor Demands from Short-run Responses

The concept of the restricted cost function provides a dual approach to the analysis of short-run technology. It allows also, under curvature restrictions, inference of the different possible equilibria, according to constraints on the firms. Moreover, in this paper, the properties of the restricted cost function are spelled out. Substitution possibilities related to the different regimes are also derived from the restricted cost function. This theoretical framework is applied to characterize the French cereal-producing sector by using a cross-section of farms.

Principe de précaution et souci éthique : un mariage de raison ?

Abstract Precautionary principle and ethical concern: a marriage of convenience? Taking as example the representative case of the genetically modified organisms, this article proposes a clear chart of the interrelations between scientific development, technological innovations, socio-economical and political aspects that form the basis of the application results partly from the reduction procedures (scientific modelling). Even though characteristic for scientific approach, the procedures depend to some extent on the social context of the moment. While including social aspects to some proposed models, they could contradict each other and give rise to social controversies that surround the application of the precautionary principle. Such a circumstance is something to take into consideration during the ethical reflection that is inevitably associated to the determination of the precautionary measures to be adopted.