Economic Effects of Banning Methyl Bromide for Soil Fumigation

摘要

Methyl bromide (MB), a soil fumigant, may be banned by the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) because of its potential to damage the ozone layer. Banning MB would cost about $1 billion annually in combined effects on grower's net revenue and consumer cost. Agricultural imports could moderate price increases and consumer losses but would magnify U.S. growers' losses. A crop-by-crop phaseout could reduce the economic effects of a cancellation or immediate suspension of MB. The report estimates the first year's effects on producers and consumers if the EPA cancels or suspends MB. The analysis includes 21 crops grown