BRITISH POTATO STABILISATION POLICY IN A EUROPEAN CONTEXT

This paper presents a simulation model, based on a stochastic spatial equilibrium framework, for the GB potato market, allowing for trade with the Continent and the operation of domestic stabilisation policy. The model is used to explain the operation of the two policy instruments — support buying and area control — and to evaluate policy options and consequences. The notion of a cost-effective support buying programme is introduced and it is found that current policy is in the region of cost-effectiveness. Quota area, subject to the constraint that downside price risk is avoided, is found to lead to a trade-off between the consumer interest and the financial cost of policy. This trade-off is examined in a conventional welfare analysis and in probability terms. Subject to certain caveats, it is concluded that current policy tends to provided price stabilisation rather than price enhancement for producers.     

The mini farmer approach: A case study of the South African tea industry

This article analyses the concept of mini farming on tea estates in South Africa from the point of view of the farmer and the estate. Although mint farmers who participate in these schemes are subjected to strict controls, they enjoy more freedom than labourers. The article shows the relative merit of the mini farming concept in the tea industry, and thereby contributes to the current debate on agricultural restructuring in South Africa.     

Interstate banking and the payments system

Interstate banking will improve the efficiency of the payments system. This will occur because the number of handlings for multiple-bank payments (transit items) will fall and because some multiple-bank payments will be transformed into single-bank payments (on-us items). These effects are simulated using data on the current cross-section relationship between banking structure and check clearing patterns in a multinomial logit model. The Federal Reserve, which currently processes almost one-third of all checks, is predicted to lose 43 to 60 percent of its market share. The annual impact is expected to be gradual, however, since interstate banking will be phased in and because of offsetting growth in the total check clearing market.