Optimal soil management and environmental policy

International audienceThis paper studies the effects of environmental policy on the farmer's soil optimal management. We consider a dynamic economic model of soil erosion where the intensity use of inputs allows the farmer to control soil losses. Inputs use induces a pollution which is accentuated by the soil fragility. We show, at the steady state, that environmental tax induces a more conservative farmer behavior for soil, but in some cases it can exacerbate pollution. These effects can be moderated when farmer introduces abatement activity