Economic Values and Implications of Innovation in the Korean Quarantine System on Plant Diseases and Pests

• Published in: Asian Journal of Innovation and Policy Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 108 - 131
• Main Authors: Son, Minsu, Kim, Brian H.S, Park, ChangKeun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Contingent valuation method; Markov chain model; Quarantine system; Risk analysis
• ISSN: 2287-1608; 2287-1616

The increase of international trade across countries and borders results in increased risks associated with the inflow of new pests and diseases. These risks are likely to be increased more rapidly due to climate change. Some countries implement strict regulations on imports to prevent these risks and protect biosecurity, food safety, and public health. However, the problems arise when the diseases and pests are found in a country where their economic structure largely depends on agricultural exports and cause ripple effects on other industries and ecosystems. Therefore, establishing an effective quarantine system is essential to protect and recover from the damage caused by non-native diseases and pests. This study's objectives are 1) analyzing the agricultural policies relate to the quarantine system on diseases and pests in Korea, 2) evaluating the Korea plant quarantine system's value, and 3) simulating plant quarantine policy strategies. We estimated the Korean quarantine system's benefits on diseases and pests to reach these objectives. The benefits are measured with a willingness to pay from respondents surveyed by the contingent valuation method (CVM). The CVM approach directly asks people how much they would willingly pay for food security. Finally, the Korean quarantine system's values are simulated with several policy scenarios and different scales of infection at the regional level. The results of this study can deliver policy implications on the quarantine system innovation in developing countries including Asia.