Many friends and work colleagues have phoned in sick because of food poisoning and followed it up with something like “I had a BBQ at the weekend, and I must have eaten something not properly cooked”.

To be honest I think some of them probably just drank too much but clearly there’s enough of a belief out there that food hygiene is a problem at a barbeque for either a genuine day off work or a cast iron excuse.

In many of the BBQ articles that I’ve written I’ve concentrated on the phrase “sizzle is hot, flames are not” which focuses on the need to be patient and control the barbecue flames. If however you still haven’t mastered this point then maybe it’s time to resign yourself to buying a barbecue thermometer?

Why do I need a BBQ thermometer? Take this barbecue hamburger example:

Many folks assume that when barbecued hamburger is brown in the middle, it is well done but according to USDA research, 1 out of every 4 hamburgers turns brown before it reaches a safe internal temperature. The internal temperature must be 160

]]> http://www.theagandfoodlawpolicyblog.com/barbecue-food-safety/feed/ 0 http://www.theagandfoodlawpolicyblog.com/the-economic-role-of-agriculture-in-china/ http://www.theagandfoodlawpolicyblog.com/the-economic-role-of-agriculture-in-china/#comments Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:23:42 +0000 admin http://www.theagandfoodlawpolicyblog.com/the-economic-role-of-agriculture-in-china/

The “Chinese economic miracle” seems to have captured the whole world’s attention, especially when it comes to production, manufacturing, sourcing, FDI inflow to China etc’. But do we know about the biggest sector in the Chinese labour market – the agricultural sector?

The PRC inherited a ruined country, exhausted from both man made disasters such as warlords, civil wars, occupation, and natural disasters, droughts, famine, and floods.

During the Mao era, the Chinese government carried out a wide ranging land reform in the rural areas. Farmers with little or no land were given land of their own, significantly arousing their enthusiasm for production. Overall in Mao’s period, China’s agriculture developed slowly, with some golden times such as 1953-57 when the yearly gross output increased by 4.5% on average.

Under Mao, the conceptual role of agriculture was imperative. The Chinese farmer was basically the equivalent to the Soviet blue collar proletarian, thus the importance of the farmers in the class struggle was fundamental.

After 1978 and under the reforms, China introduced the household contract responsibility system, linking remuneration to output, and started to dismantle the people’s commune system, eliminating the links between organizations of state power and economic organizations. Contracting land out to farmers altered the distribution form of land and mobilized the farmers’ enthusiasm for production. As a result, for six years following 1978, agricultural output grew more than twice as fast as the average growth rate over the previous twenty five years.

The reforms made the market play a basic role in adjusting supply and demand situation for agricultural products and allocating resources, and aroused the farmers’ creativeness and enthusiasm for production.

On the whole, the reformist thrust of China’s economic policy since 1978 has benefited agriculture, as it has benefited the economy in general. Nevertheless, after 30 years of reforms, the sector is still behind most of the other sectors in the Chinese economy.

The economic and political role of agriculture in contemporary China -

1. Food security. In an extremely large and populated country like China, the concept of food security is fundamentally important. The task of feeding its people has been perhaps the first priority of its rulers throughout history.

2. Political and social stability. The farmers of China are known to have a “rebellious spirit”, which is well documented in the history books. When famine, war, or other extreme conditions took place, the farmers of China, whom use to be the majority of the population, and remain to be the largest group of China’s people, chose to strike. Thus, there is a consensus that there is no stability without the farmers / agriculture, and in order to avoid “da luan” – big chaos, the farmers must be kept quiet and content. At present still, the farmers of China are the largest, yet under-represented group, which holds the keys to stability in China.

3. Employment tool. The concept of agriculture as an employment tool in China is a bit of a paradox. On the one hand there is a massive scale of labour surplus in the agricultural sector, resulting in underemployment or even unemployment. On the other hand, agriculture remains to be the biggest sector responsible for the employing feeding, and consequently keeping social and political order of around 60% of China’s population.

4. GDP share. The reforms in the early 1980s initially increased the relatively share of the agricultural sector. The share of agricultural output in the total GDP rose from 30% in 1980 to 33% in 1983. Since then, however, the share of agriculture in the total GDP has fallen fairly steadily, and by 2003 it was only 14%. These figures indicate a relatively small share of the agricultural sector, nevertheless a noteworthy one in the overall performance of the Chinese economy.

What are the main obstacles to the agricultural sector in China than?

1. Natural resources and disasters. At the beginning of the 21st century, China has still to face and deal with a number of severe ecological / environmental problems, some are the consequences of human mistakes, and some are simply a result of “mother nature’s” course. The main problems are water supply, i.e. shortage, wastage and quality. In the agricultural context, irrigation is likely to be the most important factor.

2. Education. Chinese policy documents state that national modernization depends on accelerating quantity-quality transition in the countryside, because a large “low quality” rural populace hinders progression from tradition, poverty and agrarianism to modernity and prosperity.

3. Technology. The standard of a country’s agriculture is appraised, first and foremost, by the competence of its farmers. Poorly trained farmers are not capable of applying advanced methods and new technologies. Deng Xiaoping always stressed the prominent of science and technology in the development of agriculture. He said – “The development of agriculture depends first on policy, and second on science. There is no limit to developments in science and technology, nor to the role that they can play….in the end it may be that science will provide a solution to our agricultural problems”.

Accordingly, China is seeking technology transfer in the agricultural sector, formed by joint ventures with international collaborators.

4. Limited investment from government. Between the Second and Fifth five-year plan periods (1958-1962 and 1976-1980), agriculture’s share of capital construction and other relevant forms of investment made available by the state remained a little over 10%. In 1998 agriculture and irrigation accounted, respectively, for less thsn 2% and 3.5% of all state construction investment.

5. Limited inflow of FDI – foreign direct investment. Most sectors in China enjoy an enormous inflow of FDI, which particularly helped in 2 dimensions – technology transfer and capital availability. The lack of an outside funding, accompanied with a reduced local funding contributed to the deterioration of the agricultural sector.

In conclusion, the agricultural sector in China, unlike other sectors in the Chinese economy, is still rather under developed, and requires a substantial boost from both the local and the international community. It is my prediction than, that more and more foreign investors will discover its enormous potential and act accordingly.

“Scientists announced that they have located the gene for alcoholism. Scientists say they found it at a party, talking too loudly.” Conan O’Brien [American late night Talk Show Host. b. 1963].

Although much can be said about alcoholism and its impact on society, one thing is clear- We are breeding a nation of alcoholics. Drinking has become part of our national past time. I myself have been guilty of the excessive use of alcohol- a condition not learnt until university days when, some may say, I took a “crash” course in drinking.

However, we in Trinidad and Tobago do have a serious problem. According to Hari D. Maharajh and Akleema Ali in “Crime in Trinidad and Tobago: the effect of alcohol use and employment,” a reduction in beer available for home consumption – a major public health concern- would significantly reduce the occurrence of minor offenses. In fact, the consumption of beer accounted for 64% of minor crimes in this country. However, this aspect of the impact of alcoholism will be looked at in another article.

The purpose of this article is to summarize the statistical literature concerning the effects of alcohol consumption on earnings and employment. One of the most important findings of this research is that alcoholism has both direct and indirect effects on earnings. That is, there is evidence that alcoholics’ earnings are depressed both because alcoholism causes reduced labour productivity and because it discourages investments in “human capital” (e.g., education). Problem drinking is also found to increase unemployment.

Alcoholism is considered to be a disease, and affects earnings as such. The physical and mental health problems associated with problem drinking have direct effects on labour market productivity and reliability. That is, sickness, hangover, late arrivals, extended lunch breaks, and early departures are some work characteristics that lead to reduced reliability and productivity. This in turn leads to lessened earnings and fewer promotions and raises.

Alcoholism can have other direct effects on wages, namely, alcoholism can affect career choices and stability. It is possible that alcoholics self-select into jobs that are less demanding, and therefore lower paying. The further advanced the state of alcoholism, the less the alcoholic is concerned about his or her career. Therefore, alcoholics tend to gravitate towards jobs that are not strenuous or taxing.

An important way in which alcoholism can affect earnings is through its effect on human capital characteristics. If the disease is advanced in youth, the alcoholic may not have the stamina to complete schooling, post-secondary or otherwise. This possible lack of education could lead to lower wages and selection into “dead-end” jobs. It is important to note that alcoholics may select into such jobs because of choice (the direct effect) or because of a lack of education (the indirect effect).
It is likely that alcoholics will have difficulties maintaining employment due to their condition. The reduced reliability discussed above can lead to job losses and decreased employability. The subsequent lack of work experience can lead to lower wages and earnings.

A significant indirect effect arises from familial and relationship problems associated with alcoholism. Alcoholics have higher divorce rates than non-alcoholics. As well, there is a higher probability of an abusive home life among problem drinkers. The emotional and mental strains arising from these factors can be expected to have negative impacts on productivity, and therefore earnings.

Alcoholism’s effect on earnings has been the subject of a number of recent scholarly articles, which attempt to estimate this impact empirically. These studies indicate that, when direct and indirect effects are combined, alcoholics earn approximately 40 percent less than non-alcoholics. When human capital characteristics are controlled for, alcoholism alone leads to an 18 percent reduction in wages. That is, almost one half of the effect of alcoholism on earnings is due to lower human capital characteristics, namely education and work experience. Conversely, this implies that an alcoholic will earn approximately 18 percent less than will others with similar education levels and work histories.

It is significant to note that alcoholics earn less not only because of the effect heavy drinking has on human capital, but also because of the nature of alcoholism. A recent study found that alcoholics are more likely to be unemployed than alcoholics, and earn less when they are employed, even after controlling for the effect of education and experience. As the disease progresses, the earnings potential of the alcoholic lessens.

Alcoholism and employment have a causal relationship. Alcohol abuse negatively affects employment, but lack of work also affects drinking habits. Depression and stress resulting from unemployment can lead to increased reliance on alcohol and other drugs. Alcoholics can enter a vicious circle in that the longer an individual is unemployed, the more advanced the state of alcoholism. As the disease becomes more debilitating, becoming employed is increasingly difficult.

Recent medical research has found that moderate alcohol use leads to health benefits such as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Since healthy employees are productive employees, it is not unreasonable to suggest that moderate drinking can lead to greater productivity, and therefore higher earnings. In fact, there is evidence to support the hypothesis that alcohol and earnings have a parabolic relationship. That is, teetotalers and heavy drinkers both earn less than moderate drinkers.

In fact, studies show that non-drinkers earn between eight and ten percent less than moderate drinkers. It has been estimated that wages peak for individuals consuming an average of 2.40 drinks per day, which is consistent with the medical literature. Individuals who do not drink at all may miss out on the health benefits of moderate drinking, as well as on social opportunities and networking to further their careers. Conversely, alcoholism deteriorates one’s state of health. As well, alcoholics may endure public shame because of their condition, and this can decrease the opportunities to advance their careers at social functions.

It is vital to realize that a future alcoholic may currently display only minor symptoms of problem drinking. Alcoholism is a disease, and when left untreated can have ravaging effects on the individual’s physical and mental states. These effects can have significant negative impacts on employment, productivity, and earnings.

The lost productivity and lowered earnings of alcoholics are significant costs that have merited recent attention in the economic literature. The alcoholic and his or her family suffer from lowered earnings. Employers and co-workers suffer from the alcoholic’s lost productivity. In addition to the well-known costs of alcoholism, illnesses, automobile accidents, and crime, problem drinking leads to decreased productivity and therefore, lower wages and earnings.

In the UK the average growth rate has been about 2.5% since 1945. Governments often try to increase the growth rate because it will have various advantages.

Benefits of Economic Growth

1. Firstly higher GDP implies the economy is producing more goods and services and therefore consumers can consume more, If human welfare is linked to consumption then growth will benefit society.

2 With higher GDP the govt will collect more taxes, this is because people will pay more income tax and VAT. This is beneficial because the govt can use this increased revenues to reduce the level of government borrowing and/or spend more on public services and investment in the country infrastructure.

3. Higher economic growth will lead to an increase in demand for labour as firms will be producing more. Therefore unemployment will fall, this has various advantages such as lower govt spending on benefits and less social problems.

However economic growth has various costs.

1. If economic growth is unsustainable and is higher than the long run trend rate inflation is likely to occur.

2. Furthermore this temporary boom in output is unlikely to continue and may be followed by an economic downturn or recession. Thus it can be very damaging to increase the rate of economic growth above the sustainable rate. This boom and bust cycle happened in the UK in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

3. Also an increase in economic growth could lead to a balance of payments problem. If the growth is caused by increased consumer spending like in the UK then there will be an increase in imports. If this rises faster than exports there will be a deficit. However growth could be export led e.g. Japan’s growth in the 1960s and 70s

4. Environmental Costs. Higher economic growth is contributing to global warming. The Stern report makes clear there is a very significant economic cost associated with Global Warming.

However if growth is increased through increasing the productive capacity and increasing the long run trend rate then inflation will not occur and the growth will be sustainable. Also it is possible to increase economic growth without causing severe environmental damage.

More and more food companies are coming up with more and more ways to make food cheaper, more convenient to consume, and tastier. With these come new ingredients, skewed nutrition and a lack of understanding for what you are consuming.

When you don’t understand what you are consuming, you are risking your health. For instance: not knowing a bag stating “50 calories per serving” means you have to multiply servings to know the total amount of calories, rather than the common misconception that “per serving” means “per bag”.

As the average food intake increases, so does the perception on what a serving size means. It is surprising that many people find their perception on what a single serving is, turns out to be about two or three servings in reality!

The ability to read food labels is one of the most effective ways to make good food selections. It spells out the amounts and types of nutrients in the food per serving. However, for this label to be helpful and expend its effectiveness, you must be able to understand what it is saying:

Serving Size

States amounts of nutrients per serving. If you follow the serving size, you acquire the amount of nutrients the label states you will get “per serving”.

For example, if you read “one serving equals 5 chips”, and that there are 50 calories per serving, eating 5 chips would give you 50 calories. Eating 10 chips would give you 100 calories, and so on. If the bag says it contains 5 servings, you would take 50 and multiply it by 5 to figure out the total amount of calories you’ve consumed.

Nutrients

The nutrients are generally based on the daily dietary allowance stated (these are usually based on 2,500 or 2,000 calorie diets).

To understand what you are taking in, know that these are based on how the food corresponds to the dietary allowance for a 2,000 calorie diet. If you’ve purchased something different from the 2,000 calorie diet, divide the amount by 2,000 and you will find your nutrient’s % daily value.

Ingredients

A list of all of the items used to produce the product. The list generally begins with the most heavily-used ingredient, and descends into the ingredient least used in the product.

Label Claim

This is the term used for sayings such as “sodium-free!” (Which simply means that it has less than 5 mgs per serving).

Understanding food labels is a very good thing to learn and do. It’s important to take care of your body, by taking notice of what you intake, and rationing it out so it stays at a healthy level. Once you understand how to read food labels, you hold the power to take care of yourself.

Indeed, reading food labels can be very tedious and confusing. Nevertheless, once you get the hang of it, it would be easier for you to watch your diet because you can already control the amount of food that you take.