The worldwide interest in sustainable development has not only prompted ecological developments in policy and research in key sectors such as industry or transportation, but also in the management and assessment of new lifestyles such as healthy food consumption and sustainable use of products. In this context, agriculture is an important example because of its dual nature as both a high-tech sector producing modern mass products and also a traditional sector producing environmentally-friendly goods. Illustrated by a range of case studies from across Europe, this volume examines the interface of agricultural - and sometimes rural - 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, presenting a critical review of the opportunities of traditional production modes, from local, regional, national and global perspectives.

Teresa de Noronha Vaz is Professor of Economics of Innovation, Faculdade de Economia, University of the Algarve, Portugal. Peter Nijkamp is Professor of Regional and Environmental Economics, Free University Amsterdam. Jean-Louis Rastoin is Professor, Montpellier SupAgro, France.

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 Gà là mser, Tà zin Baycan-Levent and Peter Nijk& 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 Thà gerson. 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 Nijk& Traditional food production, market segments and rural sustainable development: a synthesis, Jean Louis Rastoin; Index.