Agricultural Policies and Trade

Subject 207-404 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Twenty-four lectures and 12 hours tutorials
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: 207-101 Land, Food and Resource Economics, or 316-102 Introductory Microeconomics, 208-306 Agricultural Marketing. Consent from the subject coordinator is required for students not enrolled in honours.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Donald MacLaren
Subject Overview:

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • explain the reasons for government intervention in the agri-food sectors of several countries, including Australia, and identify the policy objectives being pursued;

  • critically analyse the economic effects, including the trade effects, of the policy instruments employed;

  • describe and analyse the limitations of applied welfare economics in guiding public policy;

  • critically analyse the issue of world food security;

  • explain the position of agriculture in the WTO;

  • critically appraise the current proposals under negotiation;

  • evaluate the newer issues in the WTO concerning the agri-food sector including trade and the environment, food safety, and multifunctionality; and

  • synthesise the current policy issues in the agri-food sectors of the world economy.

The subject covers the following topics:

  • the reasons for government intervention in the agricultural sector;

  • the principal agricultural policy issues in Australia, the European Union, the United States and East Asia;

  • the effects of these policies on international trade in agricultural products; and

  • agriculture on the GATT and the WTO - the built-in-agenda and the new issues being negotiated.
Assessment: A 2-hour end-of-semester examination (60%), a mid-semester test (20%) and one assignment of up to 3000 words (20%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts:

Information Not Available
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Information Not Available
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Agriculture and Bachelor of Commerce
Master of Development Studies(CWT)
Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Development Studies)
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts(Development Studies)
Postgraduate Diploma in Food Science

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