search our site     home > key topics > policy topics   conservation policy This topic includes research on policies designed to conserve natural resources used in agricultural production, such as soil, water, wildlife, and wetlands, and impacts on the environment. related briefing rooms - offer an indepth discussion synthesizing ERS research Ag Chemicals and Production Technology Conservation and Environmental Policy Farm and Commodity Policy Global Resources and Productivity Irrigation and Water Use Land Use, Value and Management feature Agri-Environmental Policy at the Crossroads: Guideposts on a Changing Landscape—Over the past 20 years, a wide range of policies addressing the environmental implications of agricultural production have helped reduce soil erosion, protect and restore wetlands, and create wildlife habitat. However, emerging agri-environmental issues, evolution of farm income support policies, and limits imposed by trade agreements may point toward a rethinking of agri-environmental policy. This report identifies the design features that have improved the effectiveness of current programs, and focuses on issues and tradeoffs that policymakers would face in designing one particular policy option: a program of agri-environmental payments. AER-794 (01/01) web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov updated: October 18, 2004  Also at ERS... latest publications (all) • The Conservation Reserve Program: Economic Implications for Rural America • Amber Waves, September 2004 • Measuring the Success of Conservation Programs latest data products (all) • Western Irrigated Agriculture • Environmental Quality Incentives Program Data • Confined Animal and Manure Nutrient Data System research emphases (all) • A Healthy, Well-Nourished Population • A safe food supply resources • Contact an ERS Expert • Calendar of Releases services • Receive E-mail Updates • E-mail This Page • Translate This Page

Ag Chemicals & Production Technology Agribusiness/Industry Concentration Agricultural Market/Trade Projections Agricultural R&D and Productivity Biotechnology Crops Diet, Consumption, & Health Farm Financial & Risk Management Farm Structure, Income, & Performance Farm/Rural Finance & Tax Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs Food Market Structures Food Prices, Spreads & Margins Food Safety International Agriculture Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Aquaculture Macroeconomics in the Ag & Food Economy Natural Resources, Environment, & Conservation Policy Topics Rural America Trade U.S./State Facts What's New State Facts Calendar of Releases E-Mail Updates Subject Specialists Archive