Originally published in 1984, this book provides an introduction to the history of agriculture in Western Europe, states the case for government intervention and analyses the operation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) during the late 20th Century. It concludes that the costs of the policy fell heavily on the poorer consumers, food prices were artificially high and surpluses sold at a loss on the world markets. In the light of Britain's departure from the EU and the EU CAP this book, which also examined the prospects for the future has an enduring relevance.