Willingness to Pay for Agricultural Environmental Safety: Evidence from a Survey of Milan, Italy, Residents

Arbeitspapier

The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture provides a particularly complex pattern of multidimensional negative side-effects, ranging from food safety related effects to the deterioration of farmland ecosystems. The assessment of the economic implications of such negative processes is fraught with many uncertainties. This paper presents results of an empirical study recently conducted in the North of Italy aimed at estimating the value of reducing the multiple impacts of pesticide use. A statistical technique known as conjoint choice experiment is used here in combination with contingent valuation techniques. The experimental design of choice modelling provides a natural tool to attach a monetary value to negative environmental effects associated with agrochemicals use. In particular, the paper addresses the reduction of farmland biodiversity, groundwater contamination and human intoxication. The resulting estimates show that, on average, respondents are prone to accept substantial willingness to pay premia for agricultural goods (in particular, foodstuff) produced in environmentally benign ways.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Nota di Lavoro ; No. 100.2004

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Classification Discontinued 2008. See C83. ; Taxation and Subsidies: Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies ; Health Behavior ; Renewable Resources and Conservation: Land
• Subject: Pesticide risks ; Food safety ; Willingness-to-pay ; Choice modeling ; Contingent valuation ; Lebensmittelsicherheit ; Pestizid ; Umweltbelastung ; Zahlungsbereitschaftsanalyse ; Landwirtschaft

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Travisi, Chiara M. ; Nijkamp, Peter
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM)
• (where): Milano
• (when): 2004

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/117981
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET