ABSTRACT
This chapter summarises the state of the art and research on consumption and production in the agriculture and food domain. The subject of food is connected as much to individual well-being and economic issues as it is to North–South divide and sustainable development topics. There are some general societal, economic and technological developments influencing the food production and consumption system. The Common Agricultural Policy is a system of EU agricultural subsidies and programmes. The globalised food industry with very complex supply chains needs strong national and international regulations and agreements to secure food safety, reduce the negative environmental impacts and exploitation of the workforce and so on. Regulation is needed to ensure accountability in the system of food production and distribution, so that consumers are not deceived. The most important actors in the agri-food domain belong to one of the three groups: the consumers and households; the production and distribution system, and civil society.
