?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.relation=https%3A%2F%2Forgprints.org%2Fid%2Feprint%2F15566%2F&rft.title=Input+output+accounting+systems+in+the+European+community+-+an+appraisal+of+their+usefulness+in+raising+awareness+of+environmental+problems&rft.creator=Goodlass%2C+G.&rft.creator=Halberg%2C+N.&rft.creator=Verschuur%2C+G.&rft.subject=+Environmental+aspects&rft.description=Input+Output+Accountingsystems+(IOAs)+can+be+used+to+identify+farming+practices+which+are+not+%E2%80%98environmentally+neutral%E2%80%99+and+thus+unlikely+to+be+sustainable+in+the+long+term.+In+an+EU+sponsored+project%2C+European+countries+were+surveyed+and+over+50+farm+level+IOAs+identified.+The+subjects+covered+by+the+IOAs+included+nutrients%2C+pesticides%2C+energy%2C+soil%2Fhabitat%2C+conservation%2C+wastes+(e.g.packagingandtyres)and+other+items+such+as+veterinary+products.+Nearly+half+the+IOAs+covered+more+than+one+subject+and+nutrient+budgets+were+the+most+commonly+included(91%25+of+the+IOAs+studied).+Looking+at+the+30+single+subject+systems%2C+most+(26)were+nutrients+with+only+three+pesticide+and+one+energy+based+system.+In+total+50+systems+covered+nutrients.+Overall%2C+where+specified%2C+nutrient+budgets+covered+nitrogen+(N)%2C+phosphorus+(P)+and+potassium+(K)in+13+cases%2C+N+and+P+in+12+cases%2C+N+only+in+nine+and+P+only+in+four+cases.+The+most+common+indicators+for+nutrient+budgets+were+calculation+of+a+balance+followed+by+nitrate+leached.+The+method+by+which+indicators+were+evaluated+and+presented+to+farmers+varied.+Farming++sectors+were+not+equally+represented+with+systems+for+the+arable%2C+dairy+and+pig+sectors+the+most+common.+Farmers+received+a+detailed+interpretation+of+their+results+in+two+thirds+of+the+systems%2C+most+commonly+related+to+official+limits+or+targets.+Most+of+the+systems+were+developed+to+reduce+adverse+environmental+impacts+and+65%25of+the+systems+were+considered+by+the+respondents+to+have+had+a+positive+environmental+impact+by+reducing+surpluses+or+improving+waste+disposal.+Use+of+five+of+the+systems+could+lead+to+a+marketing+advantage+via+certified+produce+with+a+recognised+quality+label.+Where+factual+evidence+as+to+effectiveness+was+available%2C+the+benefits+varied+between+subject+types(nutrients%2C+energyandpesticides)+and+between+sectors.+Farmers%E2%80%99+responses+to+the+systems+were+generally+positive+and+they+appear+to+be+a+useful+way+of+raising+awareness+of+environmental+problems.+However%2C+economic+issues+need+to+be+considered%2C+if+the+costs+to+the+farmer+outweigh+the+benefits%2C+uptake+will+not+be+sustained.+The+type+and+nature+of+the+interpretation+is+also+important+as+the+most+successful+IOAs+interms+of+continued+use+and+interest+appeared+to+be+those+where+there+was+regular+technical+input+from+an+adviser.+Overall+IOAs+could+offer+a+useful+tool+for+voluntary+improvement+in+agri-environmental+performance+on+topics+that+are+not+already+strongly+regulated.+But+more+studies+are+needed+to+ensure+that+farmers+in+reality+change+their+behaviour+and+to+develop+the+use+of+reference+values.&rft.publisher=Elsevier+Science&rft.date=2003&rft.type=Journal+paper&rft.type=NonPeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.language=en&rft.identifier=%2Fid%2Feprint%2F15566%2F1%2F15566.pdf&rft.identifier=+++Goodlass%2C+G.%3B+Halberg%2C+N.+and+Verschuur%2C+G.+++(2003)+Input+output+accounting+systems+in+the+European+community+-+an+appraisal+of+their+usefulness+in+raising+awareness+of+environmental+problems.+++European+Journal+of+Agrnomy+(20)%2C+pp.+17-24.++++++++