Measuring the Economic Value of the Negative Externality of Livestock Malodor in South Korea

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Aug 2;19(15):9475. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159475.

Abstract

The South Korean livestock industry has increased in scale and production, generating positive impacts on the national economy. However, livestock externalities, primarily malodor, have subsequently led to increased conflicts between producers and affected communities. This study estimated Korean households' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for government subsidies to help address livestock malodor using a contingent valuation method (CVM) derived from a double-bounded dichotomous choice model. The annual average household WTP was estimated at 29,206 Korean won (KRW) (USD 25). This was slightly higher than the respondents' self-reported average amount of KRW 25,457 (USD 22). The estimated economic value nationally is KRW 628 billion (USD 546 million) annually, for a total of KRW 3.14 trillion (USD 2.73 billion) over a proposed five-year period. The public's estimated WTP can be leveraged to improve livestock management practices, more efficient waste disposal techniques, and improved husbandry methods to address conflicts between producers and surrounding communities.

Keywords: contingent valuation; double-bounded dichotomous choice model; economic valuation; livestock malodor; willingness-to-pay.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Livestock*
  • Refuse Disposal*
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) as a part of “Environmental Impact of Livestock Industry: Analysis and Policy Tasks (R929)”.