The agri-food system in the Mediterranean countries of the European community: structures and policies, with particular reference to Italy

Abstract

The analysis presented seeks to introduce the problems encountered by the North Mediterranean Countries in relation to food production, distribution and consumption. The productive aspects of the food system are emphasized in the thesis, in view of their importance in the economic and social life throughout the Mediterranean. The idea of food consumption as a primary influential factor in the development of food production and distribution is also underlined. A general discussion of the social consequences of food consumption, for example on consumers' health, and of the environmental effects of food production is provided. Moreover, a description of the differences in the European food production and consumption at a national and regional level is presented and the Mediterranean region (Medit) is defined. A detailed description is given of some of the most important features of the Italian agri- food system. The Italian case shows clearly that the efficiency of the public sector represents one of the most important factors in the development of an adequate food system. There are many reasons to believe that the action of the Italian governments in the past few decades have not always been directed towards the public interest, and this conclusion seems also valid outside the specific topic of the current study. The lack of a responsible public management, however, has not impeded Italian governments in providing businesses with a comfortable domestic environment, amply subsidized and shielded against foreign competition, in exchange for political support. Fortunately, the Italian political system is now collapsing, along with the 'cold-war’ international order and the new challenges originating from a more integrated European Community, and this hopefully will allow the re-foundation of an efficiently functioning modern economy.