PO/EC 322 - Economic Policy in the EU and its Impact on Global Food Markets

This course focuses on agricultural and environmental policies implemented by the EU and the effects of these policies on the economies of some European countries where agriculture is a dominant industry, particularly Mediterranean countries. In particular the course examines the food market, comparing the global and European ones. A special focus will be given to the impact that the globalization process has had on European Agricultural Policy (EAP) and on European Environmental Policy in relation to the food market. The impact of European agricultural and environmental policies on global market regulation and on relations with developing and undeveloped countries will also be analysed in depth. The course also analyses the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the management of the global food market; how this management influences the EU; and the characteristics of the relationship and the strong conflicts between the WTO and the European Union.

For each topic, the instructor will provide theoretical and empirical examples related to the Italian and Tuscan reality.

The goal of the course is to enable students to analyse the role of European Union and WTO in the development of the Global Food Market.

Field study: 

During the course we will be organized two field studies:

• Qualivita Foundation in Siena which deals with the protection and enhancement of agricultural products with a designation of origin. We will discuss with foundation staff the effects of the global market on the Italian agricultural sector and on standard quality of Italian products.
• A farm in Pienza or San Gimignano to better understand the effects of EU policies on local agricultural production.