Lincoln Trade and Environment Model (LTEM) : linking trade and environment

Abstract

This paper has reviewed the modification of the LTEM (Lincoln Trade and Environment Model) to incorporate production systems and their environmental consequences. This means that the impact of changes in trade policy and/or changes in environmental policy on the environment and trade can be assessed.

Groundwater contamination from dairy farming is a serious problem, both in NZ and internationally. It is particularly sensitive to differing production systems, which are often affected by changes in trade policy. This paper attempts to model different dairy production systems explicitly and to quantify the linkages between agricultural production and groundwater nitrate contamination, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.