Title: Invasion of non-indigenous insects: the impact of quarantine laws

Authors: Vladimir Hlasny

Addresses: Department of Economics, Ewha Womans University, 11-1 Daehyun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-750, Korea

Abstract: The success rate of invasive species control programmes is usually inferred from the species identification record. However, identifications may not happen concurrently with species introductions. Some species prevented from arriving also remain undetected by authorities. This study accounts for these possibilities and provides an estimate of the historic success of quarantine laws at limiting introductions of invasive insect species. The processes of species introduction and identification are estimated jointly, using data on international trade, immigration, USDA outlays, and enactments of quarantine laws. Historic trends of species introductions and would-be introductions prevented thanks to quarantine laws are inferred. Various forms of trade flow, and quarantine laws are found to have a significant impact on invasive species' introductions.

Keywords: invasive non-indigenous arthropods; insects; arrival rate; quarantine laws; agricultural trade; USDA; insect invasions; non-indigenous insects; invasive species control; species identification; species introduction; international trade; immigration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2012.050335

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2012 Vol.9 No.3/4, pp.147 - 167

Accepted: 25 Apr 2012
Published online: 29 Jul 2014 *

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