Trust has been recognized as one of the key stabilizers of the food system. An understanding of the functionality of trust with its precursors and consequences is therefore essential for an efficient management of the food system. This paper provides a structured overview of the state-of-the art of ...

This paper argues that new demands for agricultural production (such as the demand for bioenergy/biofuels) can function as an opportunity for the agricultural sector, basically because it will allow overcoming "natural constraints" that agricultural production faces when dependent mainly on food...

This paper focuses upon the case of alternative food supply chains (AFSCs) as a "laboratory" for the implementation of sustainability concepts on a larger scale. To realize this type of up-scaling, two important conditions should be fulfilled: the initiatives have to combine a performing internal...

This paper hypothesizes that, given the specific forms of food safety controls, the difference between the costs of mandatory and voluntary approaches may not be particularly relevant. As a consequence, in the case of credence goods, the threat of mandatory regulation is not sufficient to motivate...

This book contains 7 papers presented at the conference. The papers address various aspects of the fundamental questions related to system dynamics and trust in food networks. The first paper gives an overview of the state-of-the art in trust research in agricultural and food economics. The second...

Sixty-four papers from the title conference are presented. Topics covered include: the driving forces and impact of quality assurance; chain management issues (food safety controls, tracking/tracing, and contracts/public regulations); adoption to EU quality requirements; consumer issues (risk...

This book/proceedings presents ideas and concepts that might support the agri-food sector in providing food without compromising economic, social and environmental sustainability. The book consists of 47 papers with the following major topics: sustainability and chain management; dependencies...

This paper examines the impact of regulatory burdens on the competitiveness of the food and drinks industry, especially the European dairy sector. A theoretical foundation is provided by transaction cost economics and total quality management insights. The effects of legislation on administrative...

Quantitative risk assessment models are playing a minor role in the development of the new EU legal framework for food safety. There is a tendency for the EU institutions to apply the precautionary principle in contrast to the predisposition of US institutions to rely on risk analysis. This paper...

This paper addresses important interconnections between private governance and civil society trajectories relevant to overall food safety, with emphasis on food ethics, traceability and state regulations.