Methyl bromide regulation: All crops should not be treated equally
Authors
Cherisa YarkinDavid Sunding
David Zilberman
Jerry Siebert
Authors Affiliations
Cherisa Yarkin is Graduate Student, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley; David Sunding is Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley; David Zilberman is Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley; Jerry Siebert is Economist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley.Publication Information
Hilgardia 48(3):10-15. DOI:10.3733/ca.v048n03p10. May 1994.
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Abstract
Over the next 7 years, all agricultural uses of methyl bromide (MBr) will be phased out, in compliance with mandates from the US. Environmental Protection Agency and the UN Environment Programmed. This compound has been widely applied as a soil fumigant, and its loss will be felt throughout the state, though more in some crops and regions than in others. Research shows that the heaviest economic loss will be sustained by strawberry growers in the Central and South Coast regions and by nursery operations statewide. A phase-out beginning with the low-value uses of MBr would avert some of the inefficiencies implied by canceling all agricultural uses at once.
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