Evolution des relations entre l'agriculture et les industries alimentaires

Relations between farming and the food industry have undergone changes between 1968 and 1978 in a wide geographical context, that of the EEC. Structures in both tend to be modified both independently and mutually under the influence of technological innovation and the demands of labour decisions. The economic organization of farming, especially as regards markets, has not reached the objectives set in 1968 although the food industry played the game in many cases. Two decisive changes have taken place today in comparison with 1968 : — the food industry has become a partner of equivalent economic weight to that of farming in the farming-foodstuffs system. — the food industry must face the demands of two new partners — retail, distribution and collective catering. On the food markets retail distribution seems to have a determining influence on all the farming-foodstuffs economy, in particular on the processing industry and on farming.