PROMOTION OF POLISH AGRI-FOOD PRODUCTS IN TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

The aim of the paper is to characterise the support mechanisms of promotion of Polish agri-food products in terms of the membership in the European Union and the range of their use, at both national and the EU's levels. The author pays special attention to the importance of promotion, which in the context of ongoing trade liberalisation and increasing competition in the international market becomes a powerful tool for influencing the maintenance and development of agri-food production. Undoubtedly, the membership in European structures has had a positive effect on the activity of Polish food producers and exporters in the field of implementation of measures to promote their sales (through participating in the mechanisms of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy). In the first years of functioning in the common market, the level of interest in running foreign campaigns was low. However, in subsequent period, the situation has changed. Domestic food producers' interest in participating in food quality schemes set out in the Rural Development Programme also grows. It offers the possibility of obtaining financial support from the EU for promotional and informational activities. In addition, domestic Promotion Funds, established following the EU's example, facilitate the implementation of highly cost-intensive, large-scale and long-term actions.