UC Davis to Host a Conference on the Economics of Ag Pests and Diseases Later this Month

“Pests, Germs and Seeds:  The Economics of Policies, Programs and Technologies for Managing Agricultural Pests and Diseases” is the subject of a conference that will be held on March 28 and 29 at UC Davis.

Pests and diseases of plants and animals impose major costs on the agricultural economy by reducing crop and livestock production, increasing food prices paid by consumers, undermining export potential, and potentially undermining resource values. Government and industry have adopted a range of policies and programs for mitigating the damage done by pests and diseases and containing the costs. These policies and programs include strategies such as exclusion, surveillance, control and mitigation programs. Underpinning all such programs is knowledge and technology derived from agricultural R&D. The purpose of this conference is to exchange information and ideas and present results from economic research into the costs and benefits of different policies, programs, and technologies for managing agricultural pests and diseases, including investments in agricultural R&D related to pests and diseases. 

Featured speakers include Pam Marrone, CEO and founder of Marrone Bio Innovations, speaking on “Trends and New Market Opportunities in Bio-pesticides” and Alan Olmstead, distinguished research professor at UC Davis, speaking on “Science, Policy and Animal Health in the United States: The Case of Texas Fever.”

For registration and program information, click here.