The Agricultural Law of the EU

Book excerpt: European Monographs Series, Volume 9 This second and much-revised edition of the pre-eminent work on European Union (EU) agricultural law emphasises the sweeping changes that have led to the gradual expansion of the common agricultural policy to encompass the food chain as a whole. Although the new edition’s purpose and methodology remain the same, the author presents a completely new overview of the field as it now exists, including the effects of the latest reform measures up to 2021 and their implications for the future. Imparting in-depth awareness of the multifunctional character of agriculture today – its importance for environmental protection, preservation of biodiversity, public health, mitigation of climate change, and rural development, as well as its international obligations – the book provides matchless insight and clarifications on such critical legal details as the following: analysis of the Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, and the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030; extensive treatment of the TFEU provisions on agriculture and the impact of international legal instruments; clear and easily accessible treatment of the legislation on market and price policy, competition, and the agri-food chain; thorough analysis of administrative law aspects, in particular, the rights and obligations of operators in the framework of numerous subsidy arrangements and related topics such as sanctions and force majeure; and in-depth treatment of the importance of the general principles of EU law for legal protection. Given that about one-third of the EU’s budget is spent on agriculture – and that European legislation on agriculture is voluminous and complicated and case law is abundant – this well-organised and lucid exposition will be of immeasurable value to any practitioner asked to deal with a case involving agriculture anywhere in the EU. Academics aware of the growing intricacy of the field will welcome the author’s reflections on the meaning and significance of EU agricultural law.