Competitiveness and Employment : A Framework for Rural Development in Poland Book

This discussion paper shows the need for Poland to shift the emphasis of current policy from social issues to initiatives which will lead to an increase in competitiveness. In order for the agricultural sector to grow and create wealth to address social issues, Poland will first have to achieve a significant increase in the competitiveness of agriculture. Negotiations for European Union (EU) are likely to begin in 1998. Subsequent entry will follow between 2002 and 2005, bringing huge attendant costs and benefits. The agriculture and food processing sectors face particular problems because of the wide disparity in structure and efficiency compared with equivalent sectors in the EU. While EU Accession has rightly been given a high profile, some fundamental issues have been neglected by the pre-occupation with aligning price policy. The lack of emphasis on policies and measures to increase efficiency and competitiveness is of particular concern. The alignment of subsidy policies and the associated role of state agencies has also been overlooked, even though these changes may ultimately prove more demanding.