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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2014, Vol. 13 Issue (6): 1404-1411    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60676-0
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Welfare and Market Impacts of Food Safety Measures in China: Results from Urban Consumers’ Valuation of Product Attributes
 David L. Ortega, H. Holly Wang , Nicole J. Olynk Widmar
1、Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI48824, U.S.A.
2、Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN47907, U.S.A.
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摘要  This study provides an economics assessment of various food safety measures in China. A choice experiment approach is used to elicit Chinese consumer preferences for various food safety attributes using data from a 2008 urban consumer survey. An alternative welfare calculation is used to model aggregate market impacts of select food safety measures. Our results show that the largest welfare gains are found in the current government-run certification program. The implementation of a third-party certification system, a traceability network and a product label would generate significant value and would help reduce current system inefficiencies in China. This study builds on previous research and provides an alternative approach for calculating consumer valuation of safety and quality attributes that can be used to estimate aggregate economic and welfare impacts.

Abstract  This study provides an economics assessment of various food safety measures in China. A choice experiment approach is used to elicit Chinese consumer preferences for various food safety attributes using data from a 2008 urban consumer survey. An alternative welfare calculation is used to model aggregate market impacts of select food safety measures. Our results show that the largest welfare gains are found in the current government-run certification program. The implementation of a third-party certification system, a traceability network and a product label would generate significant value and would help reduce current system inefficiencies in China. This study builds on previous research and provides an alternative approach for calculating consumer valuation of safety and quality attributes that can be used to estimate aggregate economic and welfare impacts.
Keywords:  food safety       consumer welfare       food policy       China  
Received: 29 July 2013   Accepted:
Fund: 

This research is based upon work supported by the US National Science Foundation (0912174). Any findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US National Science Foundation.

Corresponding Authors:  H. Holly Wang, Tel: 1-765-494-4245, Fax: 1-765-494-9176, E-mail: wanghong@purdue.edu     E-mail:  wanghong@purdue.edu

Cite this article: 

David L. Ortega, H. Holly Wang , Nicole J. Olynk Widmar. 2014. Welfare and Market Impacts of Food Safety Measures in China: Results from Urban Consumers’ Valuation of Product Attributes. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 13(6): 1404-1411.

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