New from ERS—June 2004
Farm
policy, farm households, and the rural economy
Farm programs have their origins in the 1930s.
Although farms, farm households, and rural communities
are vastly different now, commodity-based support
programs continue to play the central role in
U.S. agricultural policy. This new briefing room
analyzes whether current policies most effectively
target the needs of an evolving farm and rural
economy. (posted on May 12, 2004)
EU
adds 10 new members
On May 1, 2004, 10 more countries joined the European
Union (EU)-Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Cyprus,
and Malta. This is the largest expansion in the
history of the EU and will bring profound changes
to Europe. ERS has analyzed the impacts of expansion
on Central and East European countries, the enlarged
EU, and U.S. trade with the region. (posted
on May 7, 2004)
Preparing
for wind-borne entry of Asian soybean rust
American soybean producers and the research, regulatory,
and extension institutions supporting them are preparing
for the potential wind-borne entry of Asian soybean
rust into the United States. The economic impacts
of soybean rust will depend on the timing, location,
spread, and severity of rust infestation and on
the industry's and consumers' response to this new
pathogen. (posted on April 27, 2004)
Farming
can reduce greenhouse gases
Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases can
be reduced by withdrawing carbon from the atmosphere
and sequestering it in soils and biomass. What if
farmers were paid to adopt land uses and management
practices that raise soil carbon levels? How cost
effective are alternative designs for economic incentives?
(posted on April 16, 2004)
The
consequences of time use decisions on food and eating
On Tuesday, July 13, ERS and the Farm Foundation
will host a 1-day conference at ERS in Washington,
DC, on data to be released this summer from the
Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey.
These important new data will allow researchers
to analyze the choices people make in how they spend
their time, the time and income constraints they
face, and the consequences of their decisions.
(posted on June 16, 2004)
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