The Common Agricultural Policy 2014–2020: scenarios for the European agricultural and rural systems

Abstract

The reform of Common Agricultural Policy for 2014-2020 aims at promoting greater competitiveness, efficient use of public goods, food security, preservation of the environment and specific action against climate change, social and territorial equilibrium, and a more inclusive rural development. The economic crisis of the last years, the globalization, the increasing pressure on natural resources, the increasing diversity of agriculture and rural areas in the new enlarged Europe, and citizens' expectations regarding the environment, safety and food quality, health and welfare, preservation of the countryside, biodiversity and climate change, and the unequal distribution of resources are some of the major issues that this policy has faced, in a production context directed by principles of fairness and efficiency. The policy instruments to address these challenges and achieve specific objectives appear greatly transformed and made up of two complementary pillars (direct payments and market measures, the first, and rural development, the second). The perspectives that the new Common Agricultural Policy provides in order to reach a competitive repositioning of the European agricultural and rural systems have been the theme of the 51st SIDEA Conference aimed at promoting a scientific debate on implementation of this policy in Italy. The papers selected for this special issue focus on the new perspectives for European farms, agri-food supply chains, and rural territories of the new Common Agricultural Policy.

How can policy processes remove barriers to sustainable food systems in Europe? Contributing to a policy framework for agri-food transitions

“…The following more recent phase (2013-2019) begins with the 2013 CAP reform and is influenced by the 2007-08 food crisis, during which world food prices witnessed a dramatic increase and volatility. This crisis gave impetus to the debate on food security in Europe, which gained significant attention in the policy agenda making policymakers aware that food and nutrition security is at risk also in the Global North (Brunori et al 2012;Candel et al, 2014;Nazzaro and Marotta, 2016). However, food security was mainly interpreted as a food availability issue and was used to sustain the push for keeping the level of production high and justifying strong farmers support (Maye and Kirwan, 2013).…”

The analysis of indiference and the price elasticity of demand between different categories of agricultural products

“…One of them is the farm size, as well as the adoption of certain changes that affect the productivity and thus the prices. Agriculture is an essential component of the European economy and society (Nazzaro and Marotta, 2016). The example of analysis of milk production in the European Union shows that the size of farms in Central and Eastern Europe is not optimal and that there are problems in the adoption of innovations and structural changes (Cechura, et al, 2016).…”

The (MIS)Compliance of Objectives of New Cap – Legislative, Academic and General Public Perspectives

“…It is emphasized that the new CAP promotes the progressive dismantling of the price support system in favor of market-oriented production, i.e., decoupling, and rural development (Severini & Sorrentino, 2017). Optimistically, it is proposed that the new CAP should promote competitiveness, the efficient use of public goods, food security, preservation of the environment and specific action against climate change, social and territorial equilibrium, and a more inclusive rural development (Nazzaro & Marrota, 2016). However, this is not a unified tenor and the dissent should not be overlooked.…”