Mitigation of diffuse water pollution from agriculture in England and China, and the scope for policy transfer

Smith, Laurence and Inman, Alex and Lai, Xin and Zhang, Haifang and Fanqiao, Meng and Jianbin, Zhou and Burke, Sean and Rahn, Clive and Siciliano, Giusippina and Haygarth, Philip Matthew and Bellarby, Jessica and Surridge, Benjamin William James (2017) Mitigation of diffuse water pollution from agriculture in England and China, and the scope for policy transfer. Land Use Policy, 61. pp. 208-219. ISSN 0264-8377

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Abstract

This paper evaluates the existing policy frameworks for mitigation of diffuse water pollution from agriculture (DWPA) in England and China. With reference to a conceptual model of the process of policy transfer or international lesson drawing, and possible constraints to this, it assesses whether and how China can draw lessons to improve current policy from the supra-national and national provisions of the EU and a member state that by 2016 had comprehensively implemented EU agricultural and environmental policy. DWPA is first analysed as a public policy challenge to inform specification of a generic framework for its mitigation. The current policy frameworks for mitigation of DWPA in England and China are evaluated, and their potential for improvement is assessed. A number of barriers to lesson drawing for regulation, incentive payments schemes and advice provision are diagnosed. These barriers are potentially least in relation to advice provision and its use to promote voluntary action by farmers. Given its structure and capabilities the public agricultural extension system in China is also recognised as a key resource. A focus on three policy approaches to mitigate DWPA in China is recommended: i) targeted regulation to a ‘reference level’ of large intensive livestock, and ultimately other large commercial farms; ii) strategic use of incentive payment schemes to protect water resources from DWPA; and iii) re-orientation of the ethos and modalities of operation of the extension system, informed by international lesson drawing, with the aim of rebalancing farm productivity and environmental protection.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Land Use Policy
Additional Information:
This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Land Use Policy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Land Use Policy, 61, 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.09.028
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300/2309
Subjects:
?? diffusewaterpollutionagriculturepolicymigrationnature and landscape conservationforestrymanagement, monitoring, policy and lawgeography, planning and development ??
ID Code:
83212
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
09 Feb 2018 10:26
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
13 Dec 2023 01:25