The European Union of presently 27 member states has a large variety within its own boundaries. Still there are common policies for agriculture, food and rural areas, although with many differences in relation to specific conditions in member states. Due to policy reforms, starting with the Mac Sharry reform in 1992, the European Union is on a long-term path to a freer and open market with a lot of attention for food quality and the development of rural areas. For agriculture the `traditional¿ market and price policy is largely replaced by decoupled direct income support. Policies in relation to food quality, food safety and animal welfare as well as environment, landscape and rural development receive increased attention at EU and member state level. The European Union is becoming a leader in food standards and rural policy. Many well-known specialists contributed their up-to-date knowledge to this book. It has been developed in close collaboration with government officials and scientists, also in relation to courses organised by Wageningen Business School. The book can be used for scientific and professional education (bachelor level), but could function easily as background text in master courses. Business executives, government officials and participants of non-governmental organisations will find this book to be of interest.

Following an introductory discussion of the Treaty provisions on agriculture, this illuminating work examines the four regulations that currently govern the Common Agricultural Policy in the areas of Direct Payments, Rural Development, Finance, and the Common Organisation of the markets and considers their interpretation by the European Courts. It concludes with an astute assessment of the proposals for further reform, which will give Member States greater discretion in fine-tuning the principles of the policy established at European level to the particular characteristics of their agricultural sector.

The European Union varies widely within its boundaries. Still, there are common policies for agriculture, food and rural areas, although with many differences in relation to specific conditions in Member States. Starting with the Mac Sharry reform in 1992, the EU is on a long-term path to freer and more open markets. Traditional EU market and price measures are now largely replaced by `decoupled¿ direct income support, and further steps are being prepared. There is increased attention at both EU and Member-State levels to food quality, food safety and animal welfare, as there is also to the environment and the development of rural areas. The Union is thus becoming a leader in food and rural policies. Many experts have contributed their up-to-date knowledge to this book. It is suitable for scientific and professional education at bachelor level, and as a supporting text in master level courses. Business executives, officials and non-governmental organisations will also find this book to be of interest. Second, completely revised edition. 'I am sure that it will give huge insight in the complex Common Agricultural Policy' Mariann Fischer-Boel at Brussels, 27 January 2010 'It might be argued that there is no need for another book on the CAP (...). But this book is rather different, and it certainly fills a gap in the literature.' Wilfred Legg, Eurochoices 9(2) 'This is a particularly innovative approach in phase with the way agricultural economics should now be taught.' Jean-Christoph Bureau, ERAE 37(4) 'Readers will be pleased by the broad perspective of this book, which covers many interesting EU policy areas.' Mariann Fischer-Boel (Preface) and David Blandford, JAE 62(1)

This book provides a stimulating account of agricultural policy which goes beyond a narrow concern with the mechanisms and operation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and instead constructs a broader canvas, developing an assessment of the relationship between national, international and supranational institutions and actors in the agricultural sector. Among the theses covered by the book are: the different national policy styles across Europe in this sector; the evolution of the CAP; safety and regulation, the environment, and technological developments in food production such as genetic engineering.

The debate on agricultural policy in the EU has been very lively and politically prominent over the past months. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU has undergone major changes since it was first implemented at the end of the 1960s. Commentators suggest that the CAP changes made in the Agenda 2000 reform package were insufficient to address the problems facing the CAP in the coming years. These include enlargement, new trade negotiations and the demand by European society for a safe, sustainable agri-food system, to name but a few. This report highlights the most pressing challenges to creating a sustainable CAP for the 21st century. It focuses on strategic policy options that are closely linked to the CAP system to be "hands on"; but the report refrains from becoming too specific on policy details, focusing instead on the important strategic questions. It offers six recommendations for good governance, that aim to remove bureaucratic constraints from the food industry, yet strengthen consistency and good practice.

Following the conclusion of the latest round of reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2013, the Research Handbook on EU Agriculture Law provides an up-to-date discussion of these reforms and the changing landscape in which the CAP now operates. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, and with international contributors from across Europe and the United States, the Handbook commences with analyses of the legal instruments which implement the reformed CAP, before moving on to consider questions of land use, the role of agriculture within the wider food chain and the international dimension. In these contexts, particular issues identified include: the environmental impact of past, present and future farming practices; the ability of the food chain to accommodate consumer preferences and scientific innovation; and the hurdles to be cleared before international consensus can be reached on a whole range of agricultural imperatives. As well as providing a state-of-the-art point of reference for academics, this comprehensive book will be of great interest to students, scholars and policymakers dealing with these new challenges faced by agriculture in the EU.

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is understood as "a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers". The CAP covers all of the EU Member States. Among other aims, it seeks to "support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food" and to "maintain rural areas and landscapes across the EU". The CAP is the oldest common policy of the European Union, dating back to the 1960s. It has shaped the EU in many ways, especially due to its significant financial size (at one point the CAP accounted for 85% of the total EU budget; as of 2020, it comprises around 35%). The design and structure of the CAP have been at the centre of political debates at European level for decades. Over time, the CAP has been reformed to strengthen the competitiveness of the sector, to promote sustainable farming and innovation to support jobs and growth in rural areas, and to help address the environmental and climate challenges the EU faces. Due to the importance of the CAP to the European Union, it is necessary to properly communicate about the policy both to its wide groups of stakeholders, and to EU citizens. Based on Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) within the European Commission implements the information policy on the CAP to communicate with European citizens and stakeholders about the CAP.