Conclusions: selecting priorities

There is no lack of interdisciplinary new thinking on agricultural and food policy across the globe. Policy has to be holistic, offering an integrated approach. There has to be a clear sense of objectives and priorities. While there is a policy design problem, there is also an implementation problem. Any policy is only as good as the policy instruments used to implement it. Any attempt to secure change is likely to come against the economic clout and political influence of the corporate food actors and the reality of global financialization. Agriculture and food should be mainstreamed within the climate change debate, leading to appropriate policy measures that match its contribution to GHG emissions. Diet and nutrition have to be made central features of an integrated food policy and this requires effective public education campaigns. In order to achieve these policy objectives, institutional structures need thoroughgoing reform at domestic and international level.