Report by Friends of the Earth Europe, 2004

 

Traditional wheat sort Spelta planted at an organic farm in Slovakia. Photo: Ekotrend

The introduction of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy is going to have far-reaching impacts on farmers, food, landscape, environment and rural jobs in the new member states. Implementation of other EU laws and policies and the elimination of trade barriers will also lead to profound changes. The report provides an overview of the potential impacts on the new member states with policy recommendations for their decision-makers.

In comparison to the EU-15, agriculture in the CEE-10 countries currently employs more people, uses lower amounts of pesticides and fertilisers, produces lower yields and often hosts richer wildlife.

Agriculture is an area, partly due to flaws in the CAP, where EU enlargement can cause a great deal of social and environmental damage: a loss of agricultural jobs and rural depopulation, higher use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers in fields, a huge loss of biodiversity, more pollution of air, water and soil, and closing down of small food processing enterprises as well as small farms.

Spraying chemicals in the Czech Republic Photo: Martin Rosta

On the other hand, the EU offers the new countries possibilities to boost organic agriculture, maintain extensive farming on pastures and meadows, and revitalise rural areas. The EU also brings them bans on the use of some hazardous pesticides, higher animal welfare standards and legislation limiting pollution from farms.

In sum, the EU enlargement brings serious risks but also distinct opportunities for agriculture and the environment in the new member states. A lot now depends on decision-makers in the new countries themselves. Will they make use of the opportunities and avert the risks or will it be the other way round?

The report is divided into two parts. The first part deals with key issues in the relationship between farming, society and the environment in the context of EU enlargement: pesticides and fertilisers in arable farming; animal welfare and food safety in livestock farming; social and economic aspects of agriculture; impacts of agriculture on landscape, biodiversity, air, water and soil; extensive farming on meadows and pastures; genetically modified agriculture; and organic and integrated agriculture. Each chapter shows the situation in the EU-15, the situation in the CEE countries, the potential impacts of the enlargement, the relevant EU policy instruments and concludes with policy recommendations aimed at decision-makers in the new member states.

Horses of Estonian local breed on coastal grasslands. Photo: Maret Merisaar

The second part explains how the Common Agricultural Policy works, what is its history, structure and budget. It also describes how CAP has been reformed and shows why further change is needed. Last but not least, it explains how this complex policy is being extended to the new member states, with particular emphasis on the second pillar of CAP - rural development.

Contents:

Foreword

Executive Summary

Introduction

1 Impacts of the enlargement on farming, society and the environment in the new member states

1.1 The future of rural areas: depopulation or a living countryside?
1.2 More pesticides and fertilisers?
1.3 Livestock farms, animal welfare and food safety
1.4 Landscape and biodiversity
1.5 Pollution and erosion
1.6 Extensive farming and semi-natural grasslands
1.7 Supermarkets and long-distance transport of food and animals
1.8 Genetically modified crops
1.9 Sustainable alternatives: organic and integrated agriculture

2 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

2.1 CAP: history, reforms, budget and structure
         2.1.1 History of CAP
         2.1.2 CAP Reforms: adjustment to trade liberalisation
         2.1.3 CAP budget and structure
2.2 What is wrong with CAP?
2.3 CAP in the new member states: how much money and for what?
        2.3.1 First pillar: less money for the newcomers
        2.3.2 Second pillar: rural development in the new member states
        2.3.3 The rural development menu
        2.3.4 Preparing for the next period: rural development in 2007-13

References

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Published by Friends of the Earth Europe with financial support from and in co-operation with the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment.