Program of Research on the
Economics of Invasive Species Management
October 19-20, 2006, Washington D.C.
Sponsored by Farm Foundation and USDA Economic Research Service

Workshop Summary

In 2003, the Economic Research Service (ERS) established Program of Research on the Economics of Invasive Species Management (PREISM), a competitive awards program to address economic issues associated with invasive species management.  Since 2004, ERS and the Farm Foundation have annually sponsored a forum for dialogue on economic issues associated with agricultural invasive species.  More than 90 people particiated in the 2006 workshop, which was designed to highlight the progress of previous PREISM awardees; offer feedback to workshop presenters; educate the broader invasive species community (e.g., non-economist and NGO attendees) about the PREISM program and research results; and provide networking environment for the workshop attendees.

Themes emerging identified by the wrap-up panel included the importance of interactions and communications between researchers, policy makers and those whose behavior affects the introduction, spread and control of invasive species.  A wide range of modeling techniques were used in the research, however, most are data intensive.  The research and PREISM in general, has added to knowledge about valuing externalities and understanding why markets fail.  Researchers play a key role in articulating important policy questions, as well as communicating the implications of their research to policy-makers.

Panel members suggested that additional work is needed on communicating welfare measures; analytic tools to account for uncertainty, information asymmetry, space, and time; appropriate models to understand the factors affecting voluntary action; the economics of cooperation with other countries; and defining the success of an invasive species policy. Suggestions for future PREISM research included: a) the economic consequences of invasive species, such as tourism, andforeign animal diseases; b) the behavior of marginal, small-scale producers and non-commercial animal owners; c) institutional, technological, and structural change; d) the role of public opinion and consumer response in implementing invasive species programs, especially for foreign animal diseases; and e) studies focused on policy design rather than species-specific research. 

2006 Workshop Speaker Biographies