This paper presents an analysis of the impact of different direct payment policy scenarios on agricultural markets for 10 new EU member states (NMS). The study is based on the AGMEMOD EU-27 dynamic econometric partial equilibrium models. The baseline scenario assumes the preservation of current policy, which would lead to further growth in production for most agricultural markets, resulting from accelerated technological development and the opportunities provided by the EU common market. The only exceptions are the dairy and beef sectors, in which NMS would face a reduction in competitiveness. According to model simulations, reducing the level of payments or abolishing them entirely would not result in any dramatic medium-term changes to agricultural markets in NMS by 2020, which could serve as an argument for supporting future CAP reform.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3182472
The effect of major weather factors on the quality of hops in Slovenia from 1994 to 2009 is analyzed and discussed. For this purpose, the three domestic main varieties, namely Savinjski golding, Aurora and Bobek were merged into a model variety which we called Virtual. Through assessment of correlation coefficients, we tried to find specific times of the year when the weather conditions significantly affect the alpha-acid content with a view toward prediction. The most significant time periods of weather that influenced the alpha-acid contents of hops during the growing season are identified as attributes of air temperatures calculated during the interval from the 24th to the 31st week (T2431; r = –0.92; P ( 0.01), as attributes of rainfall and sunshine duration calculated during the interval from the 25th to the 29th week (R2529; r = 0.83; P ( 0.01 and S2529, r = –0.76; P ( 0.01), and as attributes of air humidity calculated during the interval from the 28th to the 33rd week (RH2833; r = 0.77; P ( 0.01).
COBISS.SI-ID: 3511852
Objective: Because existing studies examining the impact of knowledge on peopleʼs attitudes towards genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have had contradictory results, the goal of this study was to explore the attitudes that the population of Slovenia has towards GMOs and how knowledge affects their attitudes. Methods: In January 2012, a telephone survey was conducted researching attitudes towards GMOs and knowledge about them on a representative sample of the population of Slovenia (N=446). Results: The results revealed a predominantly negative attitude towards GMOs, regardless of their type, application and geographical distance; perceptions of the negative impact of GMOs on an individualʼs health were particularly strong. The majority of respondents (59.5%) had moderate knowledge about GMOs, while a largeshare (30.4%) had poor knowledge of the topic. They had better objective knowledge about topics linked to formal education or legislation and a weaker understanding of mass media myths. Correlation analysis and one-way analysis of variance showed a statistically significant correlation between knowledge and attitudes towards GMOs. The respondents with better objective knowledge (who gave the correct answers to test questions) had a less firm and a more positive attitude towards GMOs and vice versa. The respondents who lacked objective knowledge but expressed subjective knowledge (they were convinced that their answers were correct) on average had a more negative attitude towards GMOs compared to those who lacked subjective knowledge. Conclusions: This finding leads to the conclusion that knowledge, particularly relating to media myths about GMOs, has an important role in forming attitudes towards the impact of GMOs on an individualʼs health.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2926053
In 2008, the ministers of agriculture of European Union member states made a political agreement on the Common Agricultural Policy reform, also known as the Health Check. The reform coincided with three things: the ongoing Doha round of the World Trade Organization negotiations; political pressures to limit the costs of the policy financed from the common budget; and various 'new' policy issues. Rational institutional and constructivist approaches, which are often viewed as theoretical alternatives with each explaining some aspects of the reform, have employed simplified and narrow abstractions in conceptualising the role of these policy contexts. In order to identify the mechanisms facilitating the Health Check, a critical realist approach is proposed here, arguing that the relationship among the trade negotiations, budget bargaining, new issues and the policy reform can be explained by theoretically endorsing the asymmetrical development of the agricultural production factors and of production relations. A qualitative analysis is used to determine which of these three approaches seems to be better able to explain the empirical evidence.
COBISS.SI-ID: 31298653
Allowing for the comparison of agricultural policies among countries and supporting the European integration process, a methodological tool was developed called the APM (Agri-Policy Measures tool). The tool enables the cross country qualitative and quantitative analysis of budgetary support to agriculture using uniform classification and systemization template primarily based on the current EU concept of the policy pillars. All agricultural policy measures are grounded on three main pillars: market and direct producer support measures, structural and rural development measures and general measures related to agriculture. Total budgetary support to agriculture should represent the sum of all transfers related to agriculture from all sources, but without administrative costs and transfers to non-agricultural sectors. The tool was applied for the analysis and comparison of agricultural policies in the Western Balkan countries and it proved to be useful for policy analysis in relation to the EU accession process.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3296648