I am a graduate student of International Environmental Policy. My
research focuses on how governments can promote sustainable
agriculture. I am particularly interested in comparative environmental
policy, and the lessons that can be gleened from case study analysis. I
have three questions for you. Any insight or information you can offer
will be greatly appreciated, and I will be happy to share it with the
"group".
1) Does anyone have information on innovative policies/programs being
considered OR implemented in countries outside the U.S., which promote
sustainable agriculture? I have heard mention of subsidization of organic
farmers in Germany and Austria. I have also heard discussion of
outlawing pesticides in Denmark. Any specific information on these
examples, or others you may know about, would be great. I am looking
for descriptions of policies (ones proposed OR ones being implemented),
and contact information of individuals who may know more about the
policies.
[NOTE: Sustainable Agriculture as I use the term here is
general (i.e. I am not only looking for info on organic or biointensive or
biodynamic, although these are certainly included). I am interested in
policies which aim to promote the long term sustainability of agriculture
(may be read "food systems"), taking into consideration the impacts of
agriculture on the economy, the environment, public health, societal
equity (inter- and intra- generational), and the list may go on........The idea
is to be inclusive rather than exclusive in this survey portion of the
research. I believe that the tools which will help us build a more
sustainable future will be the result of collaborative efforts and an
amalgamation of "field tested" and "ground truthed" policies and
programs.
2) Does anyone have an idea of how to gain access to current and past
USDA budgets, to analyze allocation of resources?
3) Is anyone aware of other organizations besides USDA (public or
private) which receive federal money (that is, they receive it NOT
through USDA, but through some other organization or mechanism) to
conduct agricultural research? If so, do you know how to gain access
to the goals of the research and the amounts received, both in the past
and currently?
I thank you all in advance for taking the time to read my request, and, if
time permits, respond to my questions.
Best regards,
Brett Melone
=================
Brett Melone
Sea Grant Fellow
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
Wetlands Division (4502F)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
202/260-5727 Fax 202/260-8000
<melone.brett@epamail.epa.gov>
<www.epa.gov/OWOW/wetlands>
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