The importance of local food and short supply chains in shaping sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas in the European Union

Abstract

The aim of the article is to indicate the importance of local food and short supply chains in the implementation of the concept of the sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas, and to present the European Union’s actions in this field. These actions are concentrated in the Common Agricultural Policy. When preparing the text, the descriptive method and an analysis of the literature were utilised. In the context of diverse challenges facing the economy of the modern world, the development of local food systems, meaning production, processing and trade in a relatively small area, is particularly important. It brings an important contribution to solving the problems arising from progressive globalisation and constitutes a significant element of sustainable development around the world. Focusing attention on the development of local food systems in the agricultural policy of the European Union allows its main objectives to be realized, in particular the preservation of food security and safety, through maintaining local production capacity, ensuring a transparent process of food production and caring for sustainable development of the entire agri-food sector, among others.