To meet these challenges the EU has created and implemented the common agricultural policy (CAP). Its purpose is to set the conditions that will allow farmers to fulfil their multiple functions in society — the first of which is to produce food. Thanks to the CAP, Europe's citizens enjoy food security. As a society, we can be sure that our farmers produce the food we need. They provide an impressive variety of abundant, affordable, safe and good quality products. The EU is known throughout the world for its food and culinary traditions. Due to its exceptional agricultural resources the EU could and should play a key role in ensuring food security of the world at large.

This publication is a part of a series called "European Union explained".