Vertical integration: farming systems in food chain

This workshop will discuss research based experiences of the changed conditions that farming systems face within the whole food chain. Therefore it will focus on the environmental, social and economic impacts of different food chains and the challenges and opportunities offered by diverse quality schemes and standard setting organisation at the world level as well as the certification tools implemented. The ability of diverse farm systems to enter in those schemes by adapting their features has to be addressed, as well as the possibilities that exist for different farm types to be proactive and competitive by taking initiatives and exploring new alternatives.