Environmental Indicators and Agricultural Policy

In the past few years there have been several initiatives aimed at controlling the environmental impact of agriculture in Europe. Legislation from the European Union has increasingly required evaluation of the impact of Common Agricultural Policy measures on the environment. Part of the response has been the development of agri-environmental indicators by which impacts can be measured. This book reviews, from a European perspective, the theoretical development and use of indicators in the areas of biodiversity, pollution and policy analysis, in the assessment of the environmental impact of agricultural policy. It consists of selected papers presented at a workshop held in The Netherlands in April 1997, as part of the EU Concerted Action, “Policy measures to control environmental impacts from agriculture”. It is essential reading for agricultural and environmental economists and policy makers.