- Quality of food is dynamic and relative.
Enormous developments have characterised the last decades : from shortage to surplus, globalisation, technological innovation.

- Consumers demands also have changed with a growing interest in the wider impact of production.

- Food crises have created legitimate consumer concerns and distrust.
Today's food is generally better and safer than ever before.

- Lessons have to be learned if we want to restore Consumer Confidence : need if an integrated food chain approach, clear standards well controlled, EU and international harmonisation, protection of regional origins, installation of good quality insurance systems.

- The farmers contribute to the process : traceability, codes of good practice, control stystems … with examples of several countries and the development of several EU initiatives.