A recent outbreak of bird flu or avian influenza (AI), an especially highly pathogenicstrain (HPAI) of H5N1, started in Hong Kong in January 2003 and caused 159 humandeaths in Asia, Africa and Europe through early 2007. In addition, this outbreak resultedin millions of slaughtered birds and...

In this dissertation, several essays in the field of bio-security are presented.The estimation of the probability of an FMD outbreak by type and location ofpremises is important for decision making. In Essay I, we estimate and predict theprobability/risk of an FMD outbreak spreading to the...

In this dissertation three essays were presented. In the first two essays we measure theconsumer welfare changes caused by U.S. meat price changes. In the third essay thedynamic structure of international gasoline prices using the time series methodology isinvestigated.In chapter II, we...

The increasing awareness of, and concern over, possible terrorist attacks using biologicalthreats has increased attention and efforts for safeguarding U.S. agriculture. Whetherintentional or unintentional, a biological event likely would cause substantialconsequences well beyond the U.S....

Recent World Animal Health Organization (OIE) reports on Avian Influenza (AI) outbreaks in Asia, Europe and Canada suggest that there is a nonzero probability that anoutbreak may occur anywhere in the world, including the US. To help evaluate possible policy in the face of such an event, this...

Foreign animal disease can cause serious damage to the United States (US) agriculturalsector and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), in particular, poses a serious threat. FMDcauses death and reduced fecundity in infected animals, as well as significant economicconsequences. FMD damages can likely be...

Climate change and its mitigation is rapidly becoming an item of social concern.Climate change mitigation involves reduction of atmospheric greenhouse gasconcentrations through emissions reduction and or sequestration enhancement(collectively called offsets). Many have asked how agriculture and...

Foreign animal disease outbreaks can cause substantial economic losses. Policy makers need information on both the vulnerability of the food supply to disease epidemics and the impacts of alternative protection actions. This research focused on the assessment of the U.S. agricultural sector and...

The combination of shifts in crop production and a reduction in wetland ecosystems associated with climate change are forecast to reduce native grasslands and associated obligate species. Most estimates of climate change impacts to wildlife, however, do not account for how humans are likely to...

Land use is majorly involved with climate change concerns and this chapter discusses and reviews the interrelationships between the vulnerability, adaptation and mitigation aspects of land use and climate change. We review a number of key studies on climate change issues regarding land...