This book is based on the proceedings of a conference held in June 1996 under co-sponsorship of the International Agricultural Trade Consortium and The Retail Food Industry Center. The International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium (lA TRC) is a group of 160 economists from 16 countries who are interested in fostering research relating to international trade of agricultural products and commodities and providing a forum for the exchange of ideas. Each summer the IATRC sponsors a symposium on a topic relating to trade and trade policy from which proceedings are published. A list of past symposia and related publications may be obtained from Laura Bipes, IATRC Executive Director, Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108.

"The food problems now facing the world-scarcity and starvation, contamination and illness, overabundance and obesity-are both diverse and complex. What are their causes? How severe are they? Why do they persist? What are the solutions? The authors of the more than sixty international case studies contained in these books approach the food system with a multidisciplinary perspective. In three volumes that serve as valuable teaching tools, they call upon the wisdom of disciplines including economics, nutrition, sociology, anthropology, environmental science, medicine, and geography to create a holistic picture of the state of the world's food systems today. The authors focus in on specific cases from all corners of the globe to cover topics including drought and soil conservation; land allocation and cooperative marketing efforts; and food safety measures and advertising policies. In documenting past successes and failures, these case studies provide a valuable foundation for future research and efforts to create truly successful and sustainable food policy."--Pub. desc.