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Review of Hanna Schebesta and Kai Purnhagen, EU Food Law, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2024, 432 pp, hb, £110.00

Anyone interested in food system reform should acknowledge the importance of EU law and learn to recognise its strengths and weaknesses, so as to fully harness its transformative potential. This is no easy task, for EU food law is a fragmented field, built on a complex canvas of competences. Schebesta and Purnhagen have combined their unique expertise to offer the readers a comprehensive overview of the field.CONTINUE READING FULL ARTICLE

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Vincent Delhomme
· · 1 min read · 10 views

Anyone interested in food system reform should acknowledge the importance of EU law and learn to recognise its strengths and weaknesses, so as to fully harness its transformative potential. This is no easy task, for EU food law is a fragmented field, built on a complex canvas of competences. Schebesta and Purnhagen have combined their unique expertise to offer the readers a comprehensive overview of the field.

Anyone interested in food system reform should acknowledge the importance of EU law and learn to recognise its strengths and weaknesses, so as to fully harness its transformative potential. This is no easy task, for EU food law is a fragmented field, built on a complex canvas of competences. Schebesta and Purnhagen have combined their unique expertise to offer the readers a comprehensive overview of the field.

Executive Summary

This comprehensive review of Hanna Schebesta and Kai Purnhagen's work on EU Food Law offers a thorough examination of the book's strengths and weaknesses. The authors have successfully provided a detailed overview of the complex and fragmented field of EU food law, highlighting its transformative potential. However, critics may argue that the book's scope and depth may not be entirely accessible to non-experts. This review aims to provide a balanced assessment of the book's merits and demerits, its relevance to food system reform, and its implications for both practical and policy-making purposes.

Key Points

  • Comprehensive overview of EU food law
  • Complex analysis of EU competences and their impact on food law
  • Transformative potential of EU food law for food system reform

Merits

Comprehensive coverage of EU food law

The authors have successfully tackled the complex and fragmented field of EU food law, providing a detailed and thorough analysis of its various aspects.

Expertise of the authors

Schebesta and Purnhagen bring their unique expertise to the subject, ensuring that the book is authoritative and up-to-date.

Useful for food system reform

The book's analysis of EU food law's strengths and weaknesses provides valuable insights for those seeking to harness its transformative potential for food system reform.

Demerits

Complexity and accessibility

The book's scope and depth may not be entirely accessible to non-experts, potentially limiting its impact and readership.

Limited scope on specific topics

The book's comprehensive nature may lead to a lack of in-depth analysis on specific topics, potentially leaving readers seeking additional information.

Expert Commentary

This book is a significant contribution to the field of EU food law, providing a comprehensive and authoritative analysis of its various aspects. However, its complexity and limited scope on specific topics may limit its accessibility and impact. Nevertheless, its transformative potential for food system reform makes it an essential read for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to navigate the complexities of EU food law.

Recommendations

  • This book is highly recommended for scholars and researchers in the field of EU food law and agricultural law.
  • Policy-makers and regulators seeking to understand the complexities of EU food law would benefit from reading this book, particularly those involved in debates on food sovereignty and agricultural law and policy.

Sources