Simone Vieri

Authenticity and quality of animal origin food investigated by stable-isotope ratio analysis.

Authentication of a food product is the procedure by which it is verified that the product matches the statements on the label, and that it conforms to what is established by regulations. This testing process includes analysis of the ingredients, determination of the geographical origin, and examination of the production methods. In particular, the use of rapid, effective and reliable analytical methods, when correctly applied to verify the authenticity and the traceability of the product, represents a valuable and irreplaceable tool for the authorities to carry out control functions. Tools and methodologies from scientific innovation and technological evolution can help to quickly locate particularly sophisticated frauds and adulterations. The feeding regime of livestock is a fundamental issue for the properties and safety of animal origin food, but this regime is often hidden from the consumer, making the zootechnical sector more prone to fraudulent practices. This review reports the results recently obtained in authentication of animal origin food by the application of stable-isotope ratio analysis, the most promising analytical technique in this field.

Common agricultural policy (CAP) and measures for environment protection and conservation: contrasts, balances and new methods of development for the future

In the European Union, the problem of the relationship between agriculture and environment has been dealt with following two policies: one aimed at defining a system of rules to limit the risk of environment pollution and decay; the other, mainly aimed at accompanying CAPs reform process. This evolution has concurred to strengthen the idea that agriculture as a means of ensuring environment protection is not the kind of agriculture that carries out production activities, but one that carries out conservation tasks. In this frame, the interventions to support agricultures environmental role should no longer be considered a sort of compensation aid to be given to as many beneficiaries possible, but should more clearly and selectively be aimed at promoting agricultural production models oriented to environmental sustainability.

Biofuels and EU's choices

In the European Union, growing attention to biofuels is directly linked to the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and lies therefore in the more general scope of actions to combat climate change. More specifically, in order to cut emissions from transport, the EU has chosen to opt decidedly for first generation biofuels, expecting them to make up 10% of fuels on the market by 2020. Amongst other things, this will add to the tendency of agricultural prices to increase and become more volatile, favouring the already strong financial speculations and weighing heavily on the possibilities of poorer countries to access food. Given these conditions, the choice to privilege first generation biofuels seems much more functional to the interests and profit strategies of a restricted number of big industrial groups, rather than to the so–claimed general environmental objectives.

The European agro-food system in the outlook of the adoption of transatlantic trade and investment partnership

European Union (EU) together with the USA is engaged in the definition of an international negotiation called Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). When completed, the negotiation should lead to the elimination of tariffs and reduction of non-tariff barriers. It is not easy to manage this problem as EU and USA have a different legislative approach on critical themes such as food security and environmental safeguarding. It is therefore evident that the agreements on non-tariff barriers products will be through a mutual recognition rather than the standardisation of regulations. This means that producers operating in systems with more stringent regulations will have highest production costs and less competitiveness. The risk of a modification of European regulation is concrete even if, at present, EU wants to maintain the current level of guarantee.

The use of GMOs and consumers' rights in the European Union

Most European consumers are against the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) products. Nevertheless, the European Union (EU) does not set particular limits to GMOs intake while it is restrictive with regard to GMOs farming. As consequence nine Member States, including France, Italy and Germany, have adopted measures to forbid GMOs farming on their land. Worldwide, the EU is the main importer of GMOs products for feeds and this is not consistent with the choice made by these countries. This could result in any reduction in the appreciation of consumers towards quality products and could jeopardise the economic value of the entire quality product section. As consequence, the voluntary certification could represent an effective answer to overcome the normative ambiguities and to create new market opportunities, for the benefit of both producers and consumers.