Date of Award

Fall 12-2024

Degree Type

Honors Thesis

Major

International/Global Studies

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

International Studies

First Advisor

Brian Dowd-Uribe

Abstract

As climate change furthers weather events and unprecedented hot and wet seasons, European farmers are amongst those challenged by these threats. Balancing sustainable and traditional practices while maintaining socio-economic stability can be difficult, especially under European Union (EU) agricultural regulations. A key area of concern for some agro-regulations is viticulture, or grape growing, which is amongst the most climate-sensitive agricultural sectors. These agro-regulations address multiple goals, including sustainability, exports, and cultural heritage protection. Yet, to what extent EU climate-driven agricultural regulations influence regional wine-growing operations’ socio-economics remains unclear, particularly in managing climate-aggravated pests and plant diseases. My thesis aims to examine this through the question: in what ways does the European Union's regulations addressing climate-exacerbated pests and plant disease influence the socio-economics of different vineyard farmer types in Northern Italy? The study focuses on regulatory impacts, and identifies which types are likely to benefit and who are likely to struggle under them. Relevant agro-regulations are sourced from EUR-Lex using keywords like, “climate,” “integrated pest management (IPM),” and “agriculture,” with focus on those in force during both Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms. The Typical Farm Approach proposed by Chibanda et al. (2020) is employed, which assists in determining the identification and characteristics of categorically different farming systems. Three key socio-economic findings emerged from analyzing agro-regulations in relation to viticulture types. First, top-down and research-driven management strategies can subvert local, place-based knowledge, which undermines traditional practices and creates economic uncertainty for farmers with unique terrains and cultivation methods. Second, EU subsidies and aid can provide support but also lead to unintended consequences, making them disadvantageous to certain vineyard types. Finally, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods, while beneficial for biodiversity, present barriers that negatively impact Northern Italian viticulture methods and maintenance. EU regulations can overall exacerbate economic inequality, erode trust in the government, and cause loss of agricultural land and traditions. By identifying what types of regional viticulturists benefit and who struggle under regulations, a more balanced and inclusive approach can be explored.

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