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Business & Economics

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN AGRICULTURE IN SELECTED COUNTRIES OF EUROPE
Astrida Miceikiene, Ricardas Krikstolaitis, Ausra Nausediene

ABSTRACT. The study aims to identify and empirically substantiate the factors affecting environmental pollution in agriculture. In the course of the study, potential factors affecting environmental pollution in agriculture were identified and theoretically substantiated on the basis of previous research.
The role of these factors in affecting environmental pollution caused by agriculture was substantiated in the empirical part of the study. The empirical part of the research focused on those European countries which share similar agricultural structures, are situated in similar natural conditions but have different backgrounds, and structures of environmental taxes. The study identified the factors of GHG emissions in agriculture and the causes which determine the effect of different factors in individual countries. The results of the study demonstrated that different positions in terms of the ecological footprint are indicative of the differences in the intensities of the agricultural sector and agricultural policies in different countries which might influence volumes of GHG emissions. Differences in the relationship between the share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) generated by agriculture, forestry and fishery in the country's total value-added and GDP per capita as well as differences in the consequences of environmental tax reforms also influence the variation of GHG emissions in agriculture.

KEYWORDS:  greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture, environmental pollution, countries of Europe.

JEL classification:  Q15, Q56.