1. Perspectives of Rural Development Programmes in Poland Nina Dobrzyńska Perspectives of Rural Development Programmes in Poland Nina Dobrzyńska The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

2. POLAND

3. A view of Poland Territory  The territory of Poland covers 312,685 square kilometres  At the end of 2003 the population of Poland amounted to 38,191,000 1, which constitutes 10,4% of the current population of the EU.  Rural areas account for 93,4% of the territory.  Agricultural land constitutes 54 % of the territory whereas forests 28,6%.  Permanent grasslands constitute 11,4% of the area of the country ( meadows – 8,1%, pastures – 3,3%), which amounts to 21,1% of the area occupied by agricultural lands.

4. Information on Agriculture and Rural Areas in Poland  The importance of agricultural sector is greater in Poland than in countries of Western Europe.  Agriculture ( including the hunting and forestry sectors) accounted under 2,7% of the Gross Domestic Product in 2002 and have had a downward tendency. Poland’s gross domestic product (GDP) for the year 2004 was PLN 883.7 bln. The increase of GDP was the highest since 1997 (5.3%).  Polish agriculture has preserved its traditional character.  Mixed productions pattern and extensive methods of cultivation.

5. Description of holdings with different potential of development Amongst 1,956.1 M of individual holdings of the size above 1 ha of agricultural land: o Holding operating on a non-permanent or temporary basis (17%) o Subsistence farms (10,6%) o Semi-subsistence farms (25,5%) o Commercial farms ( 47,7%)

6. Characteristic of agricultural production and food processing  Fruit and vegetables – this sector is extremely dispersed (only 20% of farmers produce them for the market whereas remaining farmers grew fruit and vegetables for their own consumption).  In the year 2004 the yield of fruit has amounted to 3,4 mln t, whereas the yield of vegetables to 4,7 mln t.  Cereal products - there has been a reduction in the rate of decline in the consumption of processed cereal products  Organic farming and its rapid growth thanks to financial support and additional legal regulations

7. Characteristic of agricultural production and food processing  Milk production - a downward trend has been observed with regard to the dairy cow stock. The average milk yield in 2002 was 3902 kg per cow ( 2003 – 3940 kg per cow).  In the year 2004 the total milk production has amounted to 11550 mln l.  Almost 900,000 farms keep cattle however, only 67 % of them produce for the market  Almost 800,000 of farms keep pigs, and 75% produce for the market.

8. For supporting the sustainable development of rural areas The Rural Development Plan has been elaborated, which focuses on social, economic and environmental aspects and is consistent with other programmes such as The Sectoral Operational Plan „ The Restructuring and Modernisation of the Food Sector and the Development of Rural Areas” financed by Guidance Section of EAGGF.

9. OBJECTIVES – RDP, SOP OBJECTIVE 1 Improvement of the Competitiveness of Agri- Food Economy Priority 1.1. Increase in the economic effectiveness of agricultural holdings Priority 1.2. Increase of income in agriculture and rural areas Priority 1.3 Improvement of food safety, quality and market orientation of production OBJECTIVE 2 The sustainable development of rural areas Priority 2.1. Equalization of opportunities for rural development Priority 2.2. Reduction of rural unemployment Prioryty 2.3. Improvement of living conditions, economic and social functions of rural areas Priority 2.4. Environmental protection and the preservation of the natural values of rural areas Priority 2.5. Extension of woodland areas in Poland

10. INDICATIVE FINANCIAL TABLE FOR RDP (M euro) Total 3 592,4 M euro (EAGGF 2 8866,4 M euro) MeasureEU (EAGGF) PL% Early retirement51312817,9 Support for semi-subsistence farms3017610,5 Support for LFA78119527,2 Support for agri-environment27709,7 Afforestation of agricultural land81202,8 Meeting EU standards195496,8 Support for agricultural producers’ groups 2050,7 Technical assistance272770,9 Complements to direct payments56414119,6 Reg. 1268/1999 (SAPARD)105353,9 Total2866726100

11. INDICATIVE FINANCIAL TABLE FOR SOP (M euro) Measures UE Pl - public%Pl-private Investments in agricultural holdings325279 33,9 325 Setting up of young farmers13043 9,7 Training164 1,1 Agriculture advisory and extension service support4311 3 Improvement in processing and marketing325139 26464 Land reparcelling174 1,2 Agriculture water resources management10032 7,48 Renovation of rural areas and protection of culture heritage 9023 6,3 Leader+ Pilot Programme154 1,1 Diversification of agricultural activities or alternative income 7532 6107 Development and improvement of the infrastructure2812 2,241 Restoring forestry potential damaged by natural disaster 102 0,7 Technical assistance186 1,4 Total1192591 100945

12. State of implementation of the measures of the RDP MeasuresAccept of applications Applications submitted as of 24.08.2005 The number of given decisions Total amount (PLN) Early retirement From 01.08.200430 73522 666201 300 182,62 Support for semi-subsistence farms 01.02.2005- 23.03.2005 116 612 Support for LFA 15.03.2005- 25.06.2005 and 15.04.2004- 25.07.2004 709 910 and 630 057629 3931 143 064 654 Support for agri-enviroment 01.09.2004- 05.06.2005 (all packages and package PO2) 21 049 Support for agri-enviroment 01.09.2004- 01.10.2004 Package PO2 3 5573 55635 008 432,48

13. State of implementation of the measures of the RDP MeasuresAccept of applications Applications submitted as of 24.08.2005 The number of given decisions Total amount (PLN) Afforestration of agricultural land 01.06.2005- 15.07.2005 and 01.09.2004- 31.12.2004 4 251 2 0611 511 Meeting EU standards 01.02.2005- 15.03.2005 73 950 Support for agricultural producers’ groups From 15.12.20042822

14. The Future of Rural Development On the basis of experiences, which Poland had gained during the period of programming and implementing „The Rural Development Plan 2004-2006”, there have been already preparing „The Operation Programme of Rural Development for the years 2007-2013”.

15. „The Operation Programme of Rural Development for the years 2007-2013” Outlined objectives are implemented within 4 axes  Axis 1(Economical axis) Improvement of the competitiveness in the agricultural and forestry-sector  Axis 2 (Enviromental axis) Improvement of the enviroment and rural areas

16. „The Operation Programme of Rural Development for the years 2007-2013”  Axis 3(Social axis) Improvement of living conditions in the rural areas and economical diversification of rural areas  Axis 4 (Leader) related to activation of rural areas

17. Allocation to axes Minimum allocation to individual axes  Axis 1 and 3 - at least 10% of the whole contribution from EAFRD  Axis 2 - at least 25% of the whole contribution from EAFRD  Axis 4 - Leader – for the new members at least 2.5%of the whole contribution from EAFRD whereas for other members 5 % Total amount for PL is about 14 bln Euro

18. The most important issues for Poland  The single programme for the whole country  One paying agency for all measures (accreditation of Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture)  Delegation of responsibilietes of paying agency and Managing Authority

19. The most important issues for Poland  New legal and legislation solutions  Implementing of Leader – choice of model  Regionalization of measures (criteria of access)

20. The most important issues for Poland The measures are to be chosen: after consultations with regions, social and economical partners and other institutions on basis of gained experience with regard to new needs with reference to european and national strategy after negotiations with the European Commision

21. The calendar for Poland  The first project of Operation Programme of Rural Development for the years 2007-2013 (July 2005)  The second project (after preliminary consultations) – September 2005  National consultations – winter 2005/2006  Implementation of the Programme - January 2007

22. Góra Zamkowa Okolice Gościńca Thank you for YOUR attention!