IMPACT OF EU FUNDS ON CURRENT STATUS AND PROSPECTS OF ORGANIC FARMING IN POLAND

The analysis of the status of organic farms in Poland in the period of 2003-2016 showed an increase in both the number and the acreage of agricultural holdings. As of 2004, high dynamics of growth was observed, which was related to Poland's accession to the EU and implementation of the CAP and the national Environmental Management Scheme. The aim of this paper is to present growth tendencies in and aid measures for organic farming. The analysis demonstrates the dynamics in the number organic farms and the acreage of organic crops on the basis of the data of the Central Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (GIJHARS) and the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture (ARMA). The conclusions that can be drawn from the studies demonstrate that the development of organic farming is highly dependent on the amount of EU funds. Financial support coming from the budget of the European Community is effectuated through consecutive RDP editions (2004-2006, 2007-2013 and 2014-2020). The dynamics of growth in organic farming during the CAP implementation stage indicates that the level of support from the EU is the major determinant of growth in organic farming in Poland. The period of 2003-2016 was characterized by a ten-fold increase in the number of organic farms (from 2.286 to 23.375) and the acreage of organic crops (from 61.2 thousand ha to 537 thousand ha).