212-323 Agricultural Policy & Internat.Trade

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Subject Description

The objective of the subject is for students to be able to understand the reasons for government intervention in the agricultural sectors of several countries, including Australia, and have a knowledge of the policy objectives being pursued, together with the policy instruments employed; analyse the effects of agricultural protectionism on international trade and be knowledgeable about the outcome of the Uruguay Round in the GATT; and analyse environmental issues as they relate to trade issues in food and fibre; understand the issue of world food security. 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 Japan; the effects of these policies on international trade in agricultural products; agriculture in the GATT and the WTO. Environmental issues as they relate to trade in food and fibre products; and aspects of the world food problem.

Assessment

A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination (80%); a written assignment of up to 3000 words (20%). A pass requires not only an overall mark of 50% but also a minimum mark of 45% in the final written examination.