New Limits on European Agriculture: Politics and the Common Agricultural Policy

This study analyzes the expansionary policies of individual nations and the Community that have helped reverse Western Europe's traditional role as a food-importing region and become a major food exporter since 1970.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 26 July 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Until around 1970, Western Europe was widely considered the world's foremost region for importing food. However, over the subsequent 15 years, it remarkably transformed into a significant food exporter. This comprehensive study, originally published in 1985, delves into the expansionary policies implemented by individual nations and the European Community itself, which played a pivotal role in this remarkable shift in Western Europe's traditional role in the global food market. The phenomenon is examined within the broader context of the economic and political factors that drove significant changes in Western European agriculture during the late 20th century.

The study begins by examining the historical background and developments that shaped Western Europe's food import and export landscape. It highlights the region's reliance on foreign agricultural products, particularly during the post-World War II era, as a means to meet its growing food demands. However, the study also notes the gradual shift towards self-sufficiency and the emergence of a more competitive agricultural sector in Western Europe.

The next section delves into the expansionary policies implemented by individual nations within Western Europe. It explores the various measures taken by governments, such as subsidies, tariffs, and trade agreements, to promote domestic agriculture and increase food production. The study highlights the successes and challenges faced by these policies, including their impact on farmers, consumers, and the broader economy.

Furthermore, the study analyzes the expansionary policies of the European Community itself. It examines the Community's efforts to create a common market for agricultural products and promote intra-European trade. The study discusses the challenges and successes of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Community's flagship agricultural policy, and its impact on farmers, consumers, and the global food market.

The phenomenon in the international food market is then reviewed within the context of the economic and political forces responsible for changes in Western European agriculture during the late 20th century. The study explores the rise of global trade, the emergence of new agricultural technologies, and the changing consumer preferences towards healthier and more sustainable food options. It examines how these forces have influenced the structure and dynamics of the international food market, and how Western European agriculture has adapted to these changes.

The study concludes by examining the long-term implications of Western Europe's transformation into a major food exporter. It discusses the potential benefits and challenges associated with this shift, including the impact on food security, rural development, and the environment. The study also raises questions about the future of Western European agriculture and the role it will play in shaping the global food system.

In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the expansionary policies and the phenomenon in the international food market that have contributed to Western Europe's remarkable transformation into a major food exporter. It sheds light on the economic and political forces that have shaped this shift and offers valuable insights into the future of Western European agriculture and its role in the global food system.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032480190