Economic Research on Pesticides for Policy Decisionmaking: Proceedings of a Symposium, Washington, D. C., April 27-29, 1970

Excerpts from the Foreword: Concern about pesticides first came to a focus through the efforts of Rachel Carson and others who called attention to their effects on the environment. For a long time little thought was given to measuring the economic consequences of pesticide use. The issues seemed beyond the pale of economics in the realm of incommensurable pesticides social benefits and losses. Some saw pesticides as essential in preventing food shortages, while others were impressed to with the harm done to the environment. More recently we have come to realize that economic measurement and appraisal can help solve the pesticides problem. This symposium reviewed the present status of economic research on and identified new areas to meet future needs for policy decisions