Interactions Between Agricultural Policies and the Environment

The paper provides an economic perspective on selected forms of land degradation in Australia and the links between land degradation and agricultura l policies" The paper begins with a discussion of the main types and causes of land degradation in Australia.The discussion covers aspects of soil erosion, salinity, waterloggin g and soil acidity.Relationship s are hypothesise d between land degradation and institution al policies influencing 'Water use, land sa ttlement, and input prices.A program .of research designed to improve knowledge of the economic impact of g.overnmen tpolicies is then suggested.It is argued that posited relationshi ps need te be quantified in .order to aid pelicy fermulation . * Dr Bengt Hyberg is currently .on a