Abstract

Since the end of the last century nanotechnologies have been identified as the most promising tool to cope with the major health, energy and environmental problems afflicting the world population. With respect to the agri-food sector, they have been predicted to enhance agricultural productivity, help climate change adaptation, solve problems of water scarcity and improve food safety and food nutritional attributes. Together with bioengineering, nanotechnologies have been promoted as the most effective ways to achieve global food security. However, along with praise, a chorus of voices has warned against the possible health and environmental risks of such new technologies, with calls for public monitoring and regulation. This chapter explains the legislative processes concerning the regulation of the use of nanotechnologies in the agri-food sector, by analyzing the various interests at stake and the conflicting objectives pursued by the actors involved. The main finding is that due to the endorsement of soft regulation instead of command-and-control policy instruments, and as a result of the strong power imbalances among stakeholders, the current regulatory choices may present society at large with disproportionate risks and damages; for the benefit of corporate profit and the economic power of a few countries in the world.