Fertilizer Reduction Policies in Developed Countries: Suitability and Implications

Fertilizer Reduction Policies in Developed Countries: Suitability and Implications LI Fang, FENG Shu-yi*, QU Fu-tian (College of Public Administration, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China) Abstract: This study reviewed and analyzed the specific practices, implementation effects and applicable conditions of fertilizer reduction policies in the EU, US and Japan, explored the common laws and general conditions in the formulation of environmental orientation, and pro原 vided feasible policy recommendations for the formulation of fertilizer reduction policies in China. This study showed that fertilizer reduction policies in each country had their own advantages and disadvantages, and the applicable conditions were different. The EU忆s command and control policy was applicable to the situation of less farm households and the same agricultural planting type or farm type. The economic in原 centive policy in the US was applicable to the situation of more farm households, relatively perfect agricultural market system and sensitive price formation mechanism, while the public participation policy in Japan was applicable to regions with more relevant agricultural groups and strong economy. China should learn from each of these policies and make a comprehensive choice in the formulation of fertilizer reduc原 tion policies. Therefore, China should proceed from improving the agricultural price mechanism and the pollution-free agricultural products certification system as well as encouraging and supporting the development of large scale production units, and then promote the adoption of environmentally friendly technology through the guidance of market mechanism, ensure the effective implementation of environmental stan原 dards through farmers忆 integration and improve farmers忆 environmental awareness through propaganda guidance, so as to ensure the effective implementation of different types(command and control policy, economic incentive policy and public participation policy)of fertilizer reduc原 tion policies.