XII. Congress of the European Association of Agricultural Economists - Brussels Session

"Health check and future perspectives of the CAP: Challenges for agriculture - A day of scientific dialogue"

Brussels, 28 August 2008

The XII. Congress of European Agricultural Economists (EAAE) took place in Gent from Tuesday, 26 August, to Friday, 29 August 2008. This triennial congress - for the first time in the history of the EAAE organised in Belgium - welcomed more than 800 delegates from all over Europe and even outside to discuss problems and challenges of European agriculture. Under the title: "People, food and environments: Global trends and European challenges" more than 500 contributions were presented during the four day event on the present problems of increasing food and commodity prices, the expected food- and non-food contributions of agriculture and the challenges and strategies with respect to agricultural and environmental policies, rural development, international trade, agri-business and consumers.

Important subjects discussed in plenary sessions were the challenges posed by the growing Asian markets, the prices of food products, institutional problems with respect to agri-environment, policies for obesity and other food related health problems, possible strategies for food differentiation, the problem of biotechnology and the debate with respect to bio-energy.

The official opening of the Congress on Tuesday was preceded by four symposia among the most important an agro-business event on the problem of food prices and volatility of commodity markets. The opening ceremony in the presence of the Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Minister of Agriculture Kris Peeters took place on Tuesday, 26 August.

More details are available on the conference website.


On Thursday 28 August (afternoon), all delegates were expected in Brussels for a session organised by the European Commission on the future challenges for agriculture and the common agricultural policy.

EAAE 2008