Rob J.F. Burton

The Yellow Pages as a sampling frame for farm surveys: Assessing potential bias in agri-environmental research

Abstract The Yellow Pages business directory has often been used as a sampling frame to select respondents for farm surveys. Studies in the UK have suggested that the directory both provides a sufficiently accurate estimate of population parameters for most purposes and offers the best alternative when the comprehensive MAFF lists are not available. However, two recent studies of farmers in the Marston Value Community Forest and the Cambrian Mountains ESA scheme demonstrate that drawing samples from the Yellow Pages may exclude less-commercial or ‘life-style’ farmers. These farmers, although still deriving much of their income from farming (unlike ‘hobby’ farmers), are generally more conservation-oriented in their environmental management approach and farm on a lower profit margin. Consequently, it is strongly recommended that caution be exercised when using the Yellow Pages as a sampling frame for environmental management research.

From agricultural science to “biological economies"?

HugH Campbell1 Rob buRToN2 maRk CoopeR1 maTTHew HeNRy3 eReNa le HeRoN4 RiCHaRd le HeRoN4 NiCk lewiS4 eRiC pawSoN5 HaRvey peRkiNS6 mike RoCHe3 CHRiS RoSiN1 ToNi wHiTe7 1university of otago Centre for the Study of agriculture, Food and the environment (CSaFe) po box 56 dunedin 9054, New Zealand 2agResearch ltd invermay agricultural Centre private bag 50034 mosgiel 9053, New Zealand 3massey university private bag 11222 palmerston North 4442, New Zealand 4The university of auckland private bag 92019 auckland 1142, New Zealand New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2009, Vol. 52: XXX 0028–8233/09/5201–00

The Rejuvenation of Productivist Agriculture: The Case for ‘Cooperative Neo-Productivism’

Originality/value – This chapter presents the first framework of the different neo-productivist forms and describes the new concept of cooperative productivism.

Western European Approaches to and Interpretations of Multifunctional Agriculture – and Some Implications of a Possible Neo-Productivist Turn

Purpose – This chapter aims to explore the consequences of a renewed impetus for ‘neo-productivist’ agriculture on multifunctionality in Western Europe. Design/methodology/approach – We analyse how the issue of multi-functionality has been interpreted and implemented in Western Europe through a comparison between Norway and Scotland (as an EU example). Relevant policy documents and literature are analysed. The chapter explores whether European agricultural multifunctionality is being revised in response to the rise of neo-liberal (neo-productivist) ideologies, food security and climate change issues. Findings – Our results suggest that Norway and the European Union have developed somewhat different understandings of multifunctionality. In response to recent events these forms are diverging further with the EU strengthening and Norway weakening their respective policies and discourses. However, in both cases, food security and climate change are emerging as key elements in the restructuring of both policy and rhetoric. Research limitations/implications and practical implications – The study has been limited to an overview of multifunctionality within the European context and a case study approach using Norway and Scotland. Nevertheless, in highlighting the flexible use of the notion of ‘multifunctionality’, it illustrates to policymakers the importance of maintaining a focus on its key environmental and social objectives in the face of pressures to increase production and liberalise agricultural policies. Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to point out the varied nature of the ‘multifunctionality’ discourse in Europe and how it is likely to change further in response to economic, environmental and social changes.