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Improvement of tariff and tariff rate quotas (TRQ) database in CAPRI

Funding

Joint Research Centre, Institute of Prospective Technological Studies (JRC-IPTS)

Duration

December 2015 - July 2016

Organisation

Under the Framework contract for ENgAGE (Expert Network for Agro-Economic modelling) represented by Wageningen Economic Research (formerly LEI) and legally Stichting Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek, Wageningen

Project team composed of


Overview

The main database for global tariff information in CAPRI is the Agricultural Market Access Database (AMAD). The latest information in the database goes back to 2003. While CAPRI has been updated several times using additional tariff information, this has always been on an ad-hoc basis involving only those countries relevant for certain simulation exercises. Moreover, the updates did not always follow a consistent tariff aggregation technique (i.e. from the tariff line levels where policies are defined to the level of CAPRI commodities).

As a result, tariff information in CAPRI is inconsistent. Tariff protection of certain countries (e.g. LDC countries) still reflects an obsolete situation in the model. Tariff protection of other countries, such as the EU and USA, are up-to-date. This inconsistency of the input database has an impact on simulation results which becomes more significant if changes in global trade are a major concern for simulation exercises.

The general objective of this specific contract addresses the current inconsistencies in the CAPRI tariff and TRQ database. With the mean of introducing alternative datasets, the border protection information should be updated in order to reflect current border protection in agricultural trade across the globe. A consistent aggregation method for TRQs should be introduced in CAPRI from the tariff line level to the level of CAPRI commodities. This aggregation method requires additional data on bilateral trade flows at the tariff line level which should also be incorporated in CAPRI.

Contributions of EuroCARE

EuroCARE contributes to all tasks with technical support and as advisor.