A cement plant releases dust that damages nearby vegetable crops. The government proposes a tax on each tonne of dust emitted, rather than closing the plant...

Assessment: Economics 9214 | Paper 1 Mock 01 | Written Paper 1 Subject: Economics - 9214

Question 1 Report

A cement plant releases dust that damages nearby vegetable crops. The government proposes a tax on each tonne of dust emitted, rather than closing the plant immediately.

(a) Which market failure is illustrated by the crop damage? [1]
(b) Explain why the tax may reduce the quantity of dust emitted. [2]

Answer Details

(a) The crop damage is a negative externality, or an external cost of production. The cement plant’s production imposes a cost on nearby vegetable growers that is not paid by the plant. [1]

(b) A tax on each tonne of dust makes pollution more costly for the firm. It therefore gives the firm an incentive to install cleaner equipment, alter its production process, or reduce output. Any of these responses can reduce the quantity of dust emitted. [2]

Exam focus: Identify who suffers the cost outside the market transaction, then explain how the tax changes the polluter’s incentives.

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