No prerequisites

The course aims to give an in-depth knowledge of the (international, European) discipline of food production and trade, also taking into account consumer rights. Therefore, the course will deal with the core elements of the structure of the European Food Law, the principles of international trade applicable to agri-food products, with particular attention to US Food system.

The course aims to give students the tools and the competences to understand food policies also in relation to the methodologies of production and their impact on the environment.

Students will acquire: an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the main legal profiles related to the agri-food system in the European and international perspective; they will be able to apply the acquired knowledge and problem-solving in relation to both legal texts and case law. They will also be able to make autonomous judgements and present the knowledge acquired in a clear and exhaustive manner, using appropriate technical-legal language. They will also be able to independently explore the main political-legal issues in the working contexts in which they will operate

In order to provide students with the legal tools to understand issues related to food law and trade in the dual European and international perspective and to understand global dynamics related to food production and agriculture, the course will analyse

- International food trade rules

- Development models and agricultural policies

- Sustainable development issues

- Food safety legislation and policies in the EU and US

- Food security policies and fair trade

- Food quality linked to land and tradition, organic farming

- Food labelling and consumer information

(A) Costato L., Albisinni F. (editors), European and Global Food Law Cedam, Padova, 2016

For attending students, some parts of the above text will be replaced by teaching material provided by the professor.

• Dialogue frontal teaching, discussion of documents/short essays, documentaries, individual research.

• The final assessment test is oral. The questions will be aimed at ascertaining the level of knowledge and depth of the course content (33% of the total overall assessment), critical capacity and specific lexical mastery (33% of the total overall assessment), clarity of exposition (33% of the total overall assessment).

  Consistent with the course timetable, an intermediate written assessment test (with open questions) of the preparation on the topics that will be analysed up to one week before the test itself and that the professor will expressly communicate. Participation in the mid-term test is optional. The grade for the mid-term assessment will have a 50% influence on the final assessment.

English