Potential consequences of the application of the mechanisms of the common agricultural policy in Polish agriculture

摘要

Opinions can often be heard both in Poland and the European Union that agriculture wille be the most serious obstacle in Poland's integration with the EU. However, evaluations of the Polish agriculture formulated in the West vary greatly. Some experts, and politicians, emphasise the immense production potential of the Polish agriculture which may threaten the stability of the EU agricultural markets, as well as its low production costs and high ecological values. Others stress its extreme fragmentation, inability to generate income, excessive reliance on state subsidies and inability to cope with international competition. The possible consequences of the introduction of the mechanisms of the Common Agricultural Policy into the Polish agriculture have been the object of unrestrained speculation in recent years. When it was convenient the need to postpone the expansion of the EU to the East for many years was stressed and figures were quoted which suggested that the cost of including the East European agriculture in the Common Agricultural Policy may reach ECU 50-60 billion annually. When it was necessary to win support for proposals to adopt long transition periods for agriculture of new member-states attention was drawn to the danger of destabilsation of the EU agricultural market and the inflow of competitive agricultural products from Poland.