ABSTRACT
This chapter contributes to a better understanding of just what the key constraints are to achieving innovation at policy level by setting out a framework for viewing change in policy regimes. It introduces the common agricultural policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) as a policy regime and presents an outline framework of five dimensions against which innovation through regime change can be understood. The CAP is the mainframe of policy that determines how agricultural practice is organised. It is also the main source of resistance to the innovations required to progress toward more sustainable agriculture. There are two broad types of criticism frequently made against the CAP in this regard. First, that it gives rise to detrimental effects on the environment, including damage to biodiversity, soil and water quality. Secondly, the CAP is the criticised for exploiting many developing countries.
