Economic approach to farming models in the European Union.

Based on data provided by the European Statistical Office, Eurostat, this paper studies the main characteristics of agricultural holdings in the European Union, with special consideration of Spanish holdings. From a static perspective, according to the latest available information, but also from a dynamic perspective, examining the evolution over the course of the present century, it analyses the number of agricultural holdings, their size, type of production, management regime, the socio -demographic characteristics of their owners, etc. All of this with the ultimate aim of providing tools to other scientific branches for the design and implementation of more appropriate legislation for this strategic productive sector.