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Securing the Border from Invasives: Robust Inspections Under Severe Uncertainty

Author

Listed:
  • L. Joe Moffitt

    (Department of Resource Economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

  • John K. Stranlund

    (Department of Resource Economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

  • Craig D. Osteen

    (Economic Research Service, USDA)

Abstract

Two important features of agricultural quarantine inspections of shipping containers for invasive species at U.S. ports of entry are the general absence of economic considerations and the severe uncertainty that surrounds invasive species introductions. In this article, we propose and illustrate a method for determining an inspection monitoring protocol that addresses both issues. An inspection monitoring protocol is developed that is robust in maximizing the set of uncertain outcomes over which an economic performance criterion is achieved. The framework is applied to derive an alternative to Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI) for shipments of fruits and vegetables as currently practiced at ports of entry in the United States.

Suggested Citation

  • L. Joe Moffitt & John K. Stranlund & Craig D. Osteen, 2009. "Securing the Border from Invasives: Robust Inspections Under Severe Uncertainty," Working Papers 2009-6, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Resource Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:dre:wpaper:2009-6
    as

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    File URL: http://courses.umass.edu/resec/workingpapers/documents/ResEcWorkingPaper2009-6.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark E. Eiswerth & G. Cornelis van Kooten, 2002. "Uncertainty, Economics, and the Spread of an Invasive Plant Species," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 84(5), pages 1317-1322.
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    7. Moffitt L. Joe & Stranlund John K. & Field Barry C., 2005. "Inspections to Avert Terrorism: Robustness Under Severe Uncertainty," Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, De Gruyter, vol. 2(3), pages 1-19, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inspection; Invasive Species; Uncertainty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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