In terms of food and drink production, the EU was exporting more than it imported by the turn of the century, with a trade surplus of €4.5 billion in 2005. While the production of food “peaked” in terms of quantity, strong concerns persisted and grew in relation to intensive farming.
These related to both the quality of the final product and questions regarding the welfare of animals. As a result, a “countermovement” emerged, with organic fruit and vegetables, free-range eggs and alternatives to dairy such as soy milk continuing to rise in popularity.