L'agriculture polonaise et la question de l'intégration européenne : regards croisés

Abstract

Polish agriculture and the question of European integration : Contras views. Given its productive potential and its specific structural characteristics, Poland will likely play an important role in the enlargement process of the European Union. On the basis of an analysis of official views in Brussels and Warsaw, questions are raised about the impact of political and social actors' tacit opinions and conceptions. Even though a post-communist coalition now heads the Polish government and an interventionist, protectionist policy has been adopted, a new political conception in favor of integration tends to prevail in the country. All the scenarios for integration, as foreseen by European or Polish experts, focus on assessing production potentials and the rhythm of price adjustments. But integration cannot be reduced to its economic and financial impact ; this question must also be seen in social and historical terms. Might Poland's structural heritage not thwart the convergence of agricultural policies ? Although there is a political willingness to adapt Polish farming to European requirements, the specificities of an agriculture mainly comprised of small family holdings may make it difficult for this country to accept the European agricultural model.