Assessment of subsidies to minimize environmental pollution by Intensive Hog Feeding Operation (IHFO)

摘要

Environmental pollution caused by Intensive Hog Feeding Operations (IHFO) has long been an issue of common concern worldwide. The research constructs a theoretical framework development for the technological implementation of IHFO with Biogas project Subsidy, Fermented Bed Subsidy and Sewage Charge in the Government Policy design. Linear Programming method is used to simulate the impacts of policy variables on the manure disposal of IHFO. The result finds that: only above the threshold, that the Biogas subsidy is increased by 200 Yuan per head or the Fermented Bed subsidy by 100 Yuan per head, can policy variables play effective impact on the decision of manure disposal technology, and the maximal social benefit is achieved. Under the current subsidy policy, response of producers differs in the scale of Hog Farms. Biogas project subsidy can play roles in large-scale Hog Farms, while the litter subsidy of Fermented Bed plays mainly in small and medium-scale Hog Farms. The existing subsidy intensity needs to be strengthened in order to achieve maximum social benefit. An improvement of levying method and intensity of sewage charge will be able to stimulate producers' emphasis on manure disposal, increasing the implementation effect of subsidy policy. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.