BEC-52806 Economics of Animal Health and Food Safety

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Financial Management in Agriculture (BEC-20806) and Accounting (MST- 21806) or Agricultural Business Economics (BEC-51806).

Contents:

Animal health and food safety issues play an important role in agricultural production. This course aims at obtaining qualitative and quantitative insight in decision making in these fields, primarily from the economic point of view. However, other aspects related in the decision making process are included as well, such as animal welfare, consumer protection and ethics.
With respect to animal health issues, this course focuses on subjects like (1) financial impact of animal diseases at different levels (farm, sector and nation) and (2) optimizing decisions aimed at preventing or controlling these diseases. With respect to food safety issues the entire chain of food production is considered, particularly food from animal origin. Emphasis will be on issues such as prevention and control of food-borne disease (zoonoses) and contamination of food with toxins.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- conceptualize animal disease and food safety problems from a decision making point of view, particularly the economic and societal aspects hereof;
- identify and apply quantitative methods and modelling approaches to provide a quantitative economic base for the decision making problem.

Activities:

- lectures and supporting practicals;
- study of text books and scientific literature;
- case study including reporting.

Examination:

- written exam with open and closed questions (75%);
- case reporting (group paper) (25%).

Literature:

Text book and scientific articles (reader).