509987 - EUROPEAN AGRIFOOD LAW

courses

ID:

509987

Duration (hours):

52

CFU:

SSD:

DIRITTO DELL'UNIONE EUROPEA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (01/10/2025 - 30/01/2026)

Course Objectives

The main objective of the course is to describe the European regulatory framework applicable to the agri-food sector. At the end of the lectures, students will acquire specific theoretical skills, thus achieving a good command of the European system of agri-food law. Students are also expected to develop basic practical skills, in order to solve simple concrete issues in the light of the European legal framework.

Course Prerequisites

An adequate command of English language is required (at least, Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages -CEFR-). No prior legal knowledge is necessary instead, since the course will preliminarily provide the students with fundamental notions of legal science.

Teaching Methods

The course will be structured into three modules, each characterized by specific teaching methods. The first block of lessons (equivalent to 30 hours of lecturing) will be delivered remotely, and it will involve the use of video recordings supported by PowerPoint presentations. Moreover, 10 hours of online interactive teaching will be devoted to group didactical activities. Lastly, the teacher will hold 12 hours of laboratory exercises, in which practical cases will be discussed in person to promote the factual application of the theoretical concepts previously described. To help the inclusion of students with special needs, two hours per week of online reception will be guaranteed. According to each individual condition, time flexibility will be also ensured.

Assessment Methods

Verification of learning will take place through two written tests. In particular, a midterm exam and a final test will be scheduled: the former will consist of multiple-choice questions, while the latter will be composed of three open-ended questions (one more general, and the remaining two more specific). The overall grade, expressed in thirtieths, will be based on the evaluation obtained by students in their final exam, increased or decreased considering their active participation in the laboratory exercises carried out in person. The minimum mark (18/30) will attest knowledge of the basic notions, as well as a sufficient command of tecnical language and a limited ability to apply the concepts learned. On the other hand, the highest mark (30/30 cum laude) will be awarded to students who demonstrate full mastery of the subject matter, using the appropriate specific terminology and showing the ability to apply in practice the notions learned. To promote the inclusion of students, mock examinations will be scheduled close to the examination days.

Texts

B. van der Meulen, B. Wernaart, EU Food Law Handbook, Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2020, ISBN: 978-90-8686-350-1

The course is dedicated to the analysis of European agri-food law, and it will be structured as follows: I. Introduction to legal science; II. Analysis of the sources of international law and description of the basic principles of international food law, concerning both the protection of some fundamental human rights and the regulation of global trade of agri-food products; III. Introduction to European Union law and cursory analysis of the EU institutional framework and sources of law, as well as of the specific features of EU provisions; IV. Systematic analysis of European agri-food law, having regard, firstly, to the historical development of this discipline, and, secondly, to the current legal framework (with a particular focus on the rules on food safety and consumer protection, as well as on the authorization regime for specific categories of products -such as genetically modified organisms- and for particular substances -such as pesticides-).