Course code Ekon3117

Credit points 3

Agricultural and Environmental Policy

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation20.03.2019

Responsible UnitInstitute of Economics and Finance

Course developer

author prof.

Modrīte Pelše

Dr. oec.

Prior knowledge

Ekon2100, Bioeconomics I

Ekon3095, Bioeconomics II

Course abstract

The course provides an understanding of the specifics and principles of making agricultural and environmental policies as well as of the role of the policies in the development of rural space. The topics of the course are viewed within the policies of the European Union and Latvia, while at the same time stressing the global context, especially the tackling of environmental issues. The course focuses on practical assignments that lead to an understanding of the Common Agricultural policy (CAP) in the EU as well as international and national actions on environmental policy issues.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to demonstrate:
KNOWLEDGE of
1. Making agricultural policies and the Common Agricultural Policy in the European Union (EU). Discussions, a test.
2. The most important agricultural, rural development and environmental policy documents and institutions. Discussions, practical assignments, individual independent work.
3. Key agricultural and environmental policy instruments. Discussions, group/pair work.
SKILLS to
1. Determine the hierarchy of institutions and legal and policy documents for agricultural and environmental policy issues. Presentation, individual independent work.
2. Identify and apply an integrated approach to tackling environmental and agricultural problems. Discussions, practical assignments in a group.
3. Independently do a research study and explain and present it to others. Individual work, a presentation.
4. Develop their cooperation skills, work in groups and individually as well as define and defend their common opinions. Discussions, practical assignments in a group or individually, study tours.
COMPETENCES to
1. Independently define and critically assess the framework and pattern of agricultural and environmental policy-making. Practical assignments, a test.

2. Assess the strong linkage between agricultural and environmental problems at the national and international levels. Practical assignments, a study trip.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction to the course.(1 h lecture)
2. Latest developments in the field of agriculture. Alternative food. (1 h lecture, 1 h practical)
3. History and role of agricultural policy in the EU. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the EU. (2 h lectures, 1 h practical)
4. Performance of agricultural holdings in Latvia. (3 h practicals)
5. Latest developments in the field of the environment. Natural diversity. Nature protection policy. (1 h lecture, 1 h practical)
6. Key policy documents in the EU and Latvia. (1 h lecture, 1 h practical)
7. Main policy institutions in the EU and Latvia, the characteristics of and the distribution of responsibilities among the institutions. (2 h lectures, 1 h practical)
8. Agricultural policy instruments. EU direct payments. (1 h lecture, 2 h practicals)
9. Rural Development Programme of Latvia. (1 h lecture, 1 h practical)
10. Legal framework for agriculture in Latvia. (1 h lecture, 1 h practical)
11. Environmental policy instruments. Climate change and its effects on agriculture and the environment. (1 h lecture, 1 h practical)
12. Legal framework for the environment in Latvia. (1 h lecture, 1 h practical)
13. Environmental policy priorities in Latvia. Future challenges for environmental policies. (2 h lectures, 1 h practical)

14. Urban, rural and natural environments. (1 h lecture, 1 h practical)

Requirements for awarding credit points

The student has to perform an individual assignment on agricultural, rural development and environmental policy documents and present it in practicals, pass a test and perform a group/pair work assigned during the course.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. Students independently familiarise themselves with the literature on the EU CAP and its periods.
2. Students independently study national agricultural, rural development and environmental policy documents and make a presentation (up to 10 slides) on one policy document to be presented in classes.

3. Students acquire information and get an understanding of agricultural and environmental policy instruments.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final mark consists of the following pieces of assessment: test (30%); presentation of independent work (30%); practical group/pair work (30%); student’s activity during practicals and study trips (10%).

Compulsory reading

1. Atstāja Dz., Dimante Dž., Brīvers I. u.c. Vide un ekonomika: Monogrāfija. Rīga: LU, 2011. 256 lpp.
2. Latvijas lauku attīstības programma. Pieejams: www.zm.gov.lv
3. Pilvere I., Upīte I., Tetere V. Protekcionisma instrumentu ietekme primāro un sekundāro sfēru ilgtspējīgā attīstībā: zinātniska monogrāfija. Jelgava: LLU EF, 2012. 192 lpp.
4. Vides politikas pamatnostādnes. Pieejams: http://www.varam.gov.lv/lat/pol/ppd/vide/?doc=17913

Further reading

1. Atjaunojamā enerģija un tās efektīva izmantošana Latvijā: Monogrāfija. Jelgava: LLU, 2012. 392 lpp.
2. Biotehonomika: mācību grāmata. Dagnijas Blumbergas redakcijā; Dagnija Blumberga... u.c. Rīga: RTU Izdevniecība, 2016. 338 lpp.
3. Ekosistēmu pakalpojumi lauksaimniecībā. Ozolnieki: Igaunijas Dabas fonds; Latvijas Lauku konsultāciju un izglītības centrs, 2011. 20 lpp.
4. Lagzdiņa Ē., Bendere R., Ozola A. u.c. Vides komunikācija un vides politikas integrācija. Rīga: REC Latvija, LU, 2010. 136 lpp.
5. Latvijas ilgtspējīgas attīstības stratēģija līdz 2030.gadam. Pieejama: www.varam.gov.lv
6. Marsden T. Agri-Food and Rural Development: Sustainable Place-Making. London; New York, NY: Bloomsbury Akademic, 2017. 187 p.
7. Vide un ilgtspējīga attīstība. M. Kļaviņa un J. Zaļoksna red. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2010. 334 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Dienas Bizness: nedēļas laikraksts: ISSN 1407-2041
2. Latvijas Avīze: nedēļas laikraksts: ISSN 1407-3331
3. Vides Vēstis: zaļā dzīvesstila žurnāls: ISSN 14070-2939
4. Lauku atbalsta dienesta mājas lapa: www.lad.gov.lv
5. Vides aizsardzības un reģionālās attīstības ministrijas mājas lapa: www.varam.gov.lv

6. Zemkopības ministrijas mājas lapa: www.zm.gov.lv

Notes

Restricted elective course for the ESAF Bachelor’s programme Economics, specialisation Agricultural and Environmental Economics