agriculture and food economy in poland

AGRICULTURE
Farm animals are mainly raised in private agricultural holdings, which in 2003
kept 94.3% of the total cattle, including 95% of cows, 91% of pigs and 91% of sheep.
In consequence of cattle and sheep stock reduction, animal density per 100 ha of
UAA fell. In 2002 animal density was as follows:
• cattle – a decrease from 55.1 head/100 ha of UAA in 1988 to 32.6 head/100 ha
of UAA in 2002
• sheep – a decrease from 23.4 head/100 ha of UAA in 1988 to 2.0 head/100 ha of
UAA in 2002,
• horses – a decrease from 5.6 head/100 ha of UAA in 1988 to 1.9 head/100 ha of
UAA in 2002
and density of pigs increased per 100 ha of arable land from 135.5 head to 142.6
head.
On average, one farm keeps 1.9 head of cattle, 6.4 head of pigs, 0.1 head of sheep,
horses and goats, and 67.8 head of all kinds of poultry.
Preparations for accession to the EU and the consequent necessity of sanitary
and veterinary adjustments in the food processing sector and agricultural holdings
alike accelerated the process of concentrating slaughter animals and milk cows’
rearing and as a result led to the elimination of small producers from the market.
According to the 2002 General Agricultural Census, 935 200 agricultural
holdings were involved in cattle rearing and breeding (i.e. 31.9% of the holdings
surveyed of an area from 0.10 ha), of which:
- 48.4% kept 1-2 head (44.1% in 1996),
- 36.1% kept 3-9 head (44.3%),
- 10.2% kept 10-19 head (9.3%),
- 5.3% kept 20 and more head (2.3%).
As regards pig rearing and breeding, 760 600 agricultural holdings were
engaged in it (i.e. 25.9% of the total holdings surveyed), of which:
- 24% kept 1-2 head (28.9% in 1996)
- 28.8% kept 3-9 head (34.1%)
- 19.2% kept 10-19 head (18.5%)
- 28% kept 20 and more head (18.5%)
Despite an increase in the concentration of domestic animals’ rearing, it remains
low and does not damage the environment. Restrictive national regulations on the
environmental protection, controls of compliance with such regulations on pig farms
and non-issuance of permits to set up large industrial farms held up activities aimed
at excessive concentration of pig production.
Intensity of animal (particularly pig) rearing varies greatly in particular
voivodships.
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