agriculture and food economy in poland

AGRICULTURAL POLICY
welfare to strengthen sustainable agriculture, especially in protected areas
and those at risk of degradation. The average subsidy rate is estimated at ca
100-200 Euro/ha depending on the measures taken
- land afforestation and ensuring proper care of new plantings at early stages
of their growth.
The assistance will be disbursed every year:
• as a single payment for afforestation at 4 300 – 5 900 PLN/ha (variation is
due to differences in terrain configuration and types of trees: coniferous/leaf
trees, proofing against animal (2 m grid) 2 400 PLN/ha)
• as a plant husbandry premium – 420-750 PLN/ha without using repellents
and 700 – 1 100 PLN/ha using repellents
• as an afforestation premium of 1 400 PLN/ha for a farmer generating more
than 20% of income from farming and 360 PLN/ha for a farmer earning
more than 80% from off-farming activities
- harmonisation of agricultural holding standards with those of the EU
with regard to environmental protection, plant protection, health, animal
welfare. The support rate will be 200 Euro/Large Production Unit in the first
year and 50 and 25 Euro/LPU in the second and third year respectively. The
assistance rate for hen farms will be Euro 150, Euro 50 and Euro 25 per 150
stalls within the successive three years.
- agricultural producer groups set up to jointly harmonise production
standards by group members. In the course of 5 years the aid will be provided
for each consecutive year at 5%, 5%, 4%, 3% and 2% of the sold output value
up to Euro 1 million and at 2.5%, 2.5%, 2%, 1.5% and 1.5% of the sold output
value above Euro 1 million. Such aid cannot exceed Euro 100 000 in the first
and second year and Euro 80 000, Euro 60 000 and Euro 50 000 within the
following successive years.
Sectoral Operational Programme: Restructuring and Modernisation of the
Food Sector and Rural Development (SOP)
In 2004-2006 support under SAPARD will be Euro 1 784.15 million, of which
Euro 1 192.68 million from the EU and Euro 591.47 million from the national
budget. Some recipients of measures under the programme will be required to cofinance
the undertakings. Farmers, entrepreneurs, local self-governments and State
Forests Authority will be eligible for aid.
Under the programme the following undertakings will be financed:
- investments in agricultural holdings up to PLN 300 000, the aid ranging
from 50% to 65% of eligible costs. Farmers from LFA and young farmers will
obtain higher rates of aid.
- facilitating the start of young farmers by granting a premium of PLN
50 000 to young farmers starting to run a farm on their own. To receive such
premium, they will have to comply with four conditions:
• the age of 40 and the date for starting running a farm not later than within
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