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Estimating the Bene ® ts of Agri-e nvironmentalPolicy: Econometric Issues in Open-ended Contingent Valuation Studies

MacMillan, Douglas C. (2000) Estimating the Bene ® ts of Agri-e nvironmentalPolicy: Econometric Issues in Open-ended Contingent Valuation Studies. Land Use Policy, 42 (1). pp. 23-43. ISSN 0264-8377. (doi:10.1080/09640569911280) (KAR id:38297)

Abstract

This paper reports on an open-ended Contingent Valuation Me thod study of the conse rvation bene ® ts of Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in Scotland. The ESA scheme is a central component of agri-environmental policy in the UK, and an interesting policy que stion conce rns the extent of non-marke t bene ® ts gene rated by such ESAs. The econometric issue s we raise in this pape r revolve around bid curves. Bid curve s are e stimated in open-ended Contingent Valuation Me thod (CVM) studies for three reasons. The se are: (1) as a test of theoretical validity; (2) as a test of discriminant validity; and (3) as a means of benefits transfer. Within the ® rst and last of the se aims, the partial relationship between willingness to pay (WTP) and independent variables such as income is of interest. The re are seve ral econometric issues involved in estimating

such relationships, First, the selection process implicit in obtaining positive WTP bids should be explicitly mode lled. Se cond, many CVM surveys suffer from item non-response with respect to `sensitive ’ questions such as the respondent’s income ; these non-response s may be non-random in nature. Finally, it is possible to dis-aggregate the effect of marginal changes in, say, income on WTP into two elements, namely: an effect

on the probability that the individual will be willing to pay some thing; and secondly, an effect on how much they are willing to pay.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/09640569911280
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HA Statistics
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User: Douglas MacMillan
Date Deposited: 14 Feb 2014 13:17 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:14 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/38297 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

MacMillan, Douglas C..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2573-5049
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