Illustrated by a range of case studies from across Europe, this volume examines the interface of agricultural development and the social and economic feasibility of traditional modes of production and consumption. It provides an overview of the various strategies and policies concerning sustainable agriculture and provides a critical review of the opportunities of traditional productions modes, from local, regional, national and global perspectives.

Contents: Editorial preface; Introduction: The complex force field of traditional food systems: setting the scene, Teresa de Noronha Vaz and Peter Nijkamp. Part I Sustainability and European Rurality: Is the world food system compatible with sustainable development?, Jean-Louis Rastoin; Sustainability and agri-environmental policy in the European Union: a meta-analytic investigation, Katrin Oltmer, Peter Nijkamp, Raymond Florax and Floor Brouwer; A comparative analysis of rurality at the EU level and Turkey, Aliye Ahu Gÿlÿmser, Tÿzin Baycan-Levent and Peter Nijkamp; Governance and determinants of local economic development, Paulo Alexandre Neto, João Almeida Couto and Maria Manuel Natário; The role of cultural values in rural development, Edina Szlanyinka. Part II Traditional Markets and Globalization: Meat processing in the Ibero-American countries: a historical view, Javier Mateo, Irma Caro, Ana Cristina Figueira, Daphne Ramos and José M. Zumalacárregui; Market integration and market power in the internal EU market for butter, Heinrich Hockmann and Ã0/00va Vöneki; The Romanian food consumption model in the context of the European Union integration, Cecilia Alexandri and Cornelia Alboiu; How could traditional consumption stimulate the bakery industry?, Iuliana Ionel; Consumer decision-making with regard to organic food products, John Thÿgerson. Part III Mass and Segmentation in Traditional Food Markets: Local honey production: export or indigenous growth?, Teresa de Noronha Vaz; Market dynamics and policy reforms in the olive oil sector: a European perspective, Samir Mili; Traditional Belgian beers in a global market economy, Tessa Avermaete and Gert Vandermosten; Protected designation of origin, sustainable development and international policies: a survey of DOC wines from Emilia-Romagna, Silvia Gatti; Large-scale production and market segmentation: an uneasy relationship, Teresa de Noronha Vaz and Peter Nijkamp; Traditional food production, market segments and rural sustainable development: a synthesis, Jean Louis Rastoin; Index.