Problems and Prospects of Grassland Development: Policy Issues

There are a range of government and non-government policies that affect grassland development around the world. The objective of this paper is to provide examples of successful policies which have been instrumental in the preservation and maintenance of grasslands and to highlight policies which have resulted in negative consequences. This paper will not attempt to provide a complete overview of policies, but instead will provide examples from representative countries. Policies which affect grasslands can be classified into two broad categories: government policies that cover comprehensive landscape issues like the Grassland Household Contract System (GHCS) in China or the Federal Land Policy Management Act (FLPMA) in the USA and narrow in scope policies which often provide subsidies to accomplish specific production or environmental objectives. Comprehensive policies are often developed to address major country wide grassland issues, but over time can result in unintended negative outcomes. Narrow subsidy-based policies accomplish specific goals, but come at a monetary expense to society. In conclusion, any policy which affects grasslands should be carefully monitored over time and governments should discontinue or dramatically change policies that have become ineffective and continue and enhance policies which are providing useful production, environmental and societal benefits.