Agriculture and Sustainable Development
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
There is an apparent conflict between the need to produce enough food for a growing global population and to ensure that the production of food is sustainable. Increased production requires technologies (agrochemicals, GMO, hormones, anti-biotics) and possibly increased land for agricultural production rather than forestry or even production of biofuels.
The object of this course is to examine how the law regulating the production of food emerges from these tensions and the current debates on reform are shaped. The students will be asked to examine these inherent conflicts and to determine the extent to which agricultural production can be changed to ensure sustainability both in the sense of the production of sufficient food and in the protection of the environment.
The object of this course is to examine how the law regulating the production of food emerges from these tensions and the current debates on reform are shaped. The students will be asked to examine these inherent conflicts and to determine the extent to which agricultural production can be changed to ensure sustainability both in the sense of the production of sufficient food and in the protection of the environment.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course the students should be able to understand both sides of the tension between environmental sustainability and foods production sustainability. The student will be get the knowledge to be able to access the right information to go beyond the lectures
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Promoting agriculture production
The rules governing the production of agricultural goods in the European Union (with reference to production rules in other countries).
The international rules set out in the WTO Agreement on Agriculture disciplining the use of subsidies to promote agricultural production.
The current impasse in the WTO on agreeing rules to limit subsidies that promote fishing of overfished species or the building of large fishing trawlers.
Health and Safety of foods
How the EU ensures that agricultural goods are safe and healthy.
The WTO rules on the setting of health and safety standards.
Agrochemicals in agricultural production.
Practical examples of health and safety issues: the use of hormones in the production of beef; the regulation and use of Genetically Modified Organisms; chlorination washing of chickens.
Methods of agricultural production
The integration of environmental criteria into farming: good agricultural practices
Agrochemicals in agricultural production
Animal Welfare
Organic farming
Other sustainable agricultural practices
Certification of Sustainable production
Food labels claiming that the agricultural product is produced in a sustainable way
Climate Change
The integration of climate change policies into food production
Food and Biofuels
The Right to Food
The United National provisions on the right to food
The practical implementation of the right to food
The rules governing the production of agricultural goods in the European Union (with reference to production rules in other countries).
The international rules set out in the WTO Agreement on Agriculture disciplining the use of subsidies to promote agricultural production.
The current impasse in the WTO on agreeing rules to limit subsidies that promote fishing of overfished species or the building of large fishing trawlers.
Health and Safety of foods
How the EU ensures that agricultural goods are safe and healthy.
The WTO rules on the setting of health and safety standards.
Agrochemicals in agricultural production.
Practical examples of health and safety issues: the use of hormones in the production of beef; the regulation and use of Genetically Modified Organisms; chlorination washing of chickens.
Methods of agricultural production
The integration of environmental criteria into farming: good agricultural practices
Agrochemicals in agricultural production
Animal Welfare
Organic farming
Other sustainable agricultural practices
Certification of Sustainable production
Food labels claiming that the agricultural product is produced in a sustainable way
Climate Change
The integration of climate change policies into food production
Food and Biofuels
The Right to Food
The United National provisions on the right to food
The practical implementation of the right to food
Prerequisites for admission
The course will be taught in English.
It is not a precondition that the students have a background in the law. However, there will be references to law and policy throughout the course.
The Professor is Bernard O'Connor, a native English speaker, a lawyer practicing in Milan and Brussels. Consultations with students will be by email. [email protected]
The Course will be Eurocentric but with reference to issues of importance to developing and developed economies.
It is not a precondition that the students have a background in the law. However, there will be references to law and policy throughout the course.
The Professor is Bernard O'Connor, a native English speaker, a lawyer practicing in Milan and Brussels. Consultations with students will be by email. [email protected]
The Course will be Eurocentric but with reference to issues of importance to developing and developed economies.
Teaching methods
Attendance at lectures is mandatory. Students who do not attend at a minimum of 75% of the lectures will not be entitled to sit the exam.
Teaching Resources
Materials will be provided prior to the lectures.
Assessment methods and Criteria
There will be a written exam at the end of the course which will be in essay format but with open access to information during the exam.
IUS/13 - INTERNATIONAL LAW - University credits: 6
Lessons: 42 hours
Professor:
O'connor Bernard
Shifts:
-
Professor:
O'connor Bernard