After the WWII governments in Western European countries introduced subsidies programs (financial support) to encourage farmers in mechanization programs (buying fertilizers too).
Another measure was to implement protectionism, protecting local farmers from external competition, reducing imports, which helped ensure food security.
Although these actions increased agricultural productivity, they also brought environmental problems such as soil degradation and water bodies pollution.
Especially the World Trade Organization was against protectionism and promoted global commerce through the reduction of trade barriers.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) ensures food security monitoring local and imported food products.
Europe was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolutions.
Currently, however, it has faced deindustrialization, with less activity and more unemployment in the manufacturing sector, partially caused by the competition from recently industrialized countries.
To reverse this scenario, countries are trying to: connect industrial activities with other economic sectors, emphasize technological advances and create new EU policies.
Europe has been dealing with population aging in more recent years, due to low birth rates and death rates, as well as high life expectancy (advancing healthcare and quality of life).
The natural growth (birth rate - death rate) is very slow, due to:
Consequences of this population aging:
Due to this decline in economically active population (EAP) the needs for migratory flows and foreign labor increased.
The numbers of immigrants coming from less developed countries such as those in Asia, Africa, Latin America and former socialists towards more industrialized European countries has gone up.
Reasons for migration:
Positive impacts:
Challenges faced: