Suchergebnisse

Purpose: Intensive development of agriculture has led to the loss of many valuable ecosystems and thus to a significant impoverishment of biodiversity in rural areas. In the context of the analysed research problem, i.e. the functioning of agriculture in N2000 areas, Poland is a special country where there are semi-natural unique habitats disappearing in the European landscape. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of conservation measures financed under the EU CAP on agricultural land located on N2000 areas. Design/Methodology/Approach: The analytical material consisted of the results of surveys using a standardized questionnaire which carried out among 292 farmers (152 organic farmers and 140 conventional farmers) from the the area of N2000 "Biebrza Valley" PLH200008. The assumptions were verified based on the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA analysis and gamma rank correlation. The analytical material also consisted of EUROSTAT data on the area of the N2000 network and the area of agricultural land covered by this form of protection in EU countries. These data were subject to horizontal and vertical (years 2009-2017) comparative analysis. Findings: Polish experience regarding the implementation of conservation measures on naturally valuable agricultural land (N2000) allows to state that environmental policy should be based on the idea of socially sustainable agriculture, including ecological sustainability (proper delimitation of areas predestined for protection, their environmental valorisation, development of conservation measures and their implementation, a bonus system for the sustainability of agri-environmental commitments), economic sustainability (the system of agricultural subsidies and/or other solutions to meet the basic living needs of farmers and their families), social sustainability (effective inclusion of local communities in information, education and decision-making processes at the stages of development, deployment and implementation of protection programs). Practical Implications: The recommendations resulting from the conducted research and analyses may be adopted by the institutions responsible for the creation of an environmental protection policy which can improve the effectiveness of active forms of protection in valuable natural habitats that are used for agriculture. Originality/Value: The article indicates the recommendations based on building a lasting relationship between farmers and the protection of the environment. ; peer-reviewed

Purpose: The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of conservation measures financed under the EU CAP on agricultural land located on N2000 areas. Design/Methodology/Approach: The analytical material consisted of the results of surveys using a standardized interview questionnaire which were carried out among 292 farmers (152 organic farmers and 140 conventional farmers) from the the area of N2000 "Biebrza Valley" PLH200008. The assumptions were verified based on the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA analysis and Gamma rank correlation. The analytical material also consisted of EUROSTAT data on the area of the N2000 network and the area of agricultural land covered by this form of protection in EU countries. These data were subject to horizontal and vertical (years 2009-2017) comparative analysis. Findings: Environmental policy should be based on the idea of socially sustainable agriculture, including ecological sustainability, economic sustainability, and social sustainability in terms of effective inclusion of local communities in information, education and decision-making processes at the stages of development, deployment and implementation of protection programs. Practical Implications: The recommendations resulting from the conducted research and analyses may be adopted by the institutions responsible for the creation of environmental protection policies to improve the effectiveness of active forms of protection in valuable natural habitats that are used for agriculture. Originality/Value: The article indicates the recommendations based on building a lasting relationship between farmers and the protection of the environment. ; peer-reviewed

Agricultural land accounts for approximately 40% of the total Natura 2000 (N2K) network area. Therefore, many habitats and species protected under the Habitats and Birds Directives are dependent on or linked to agricultural practices. This implies that sustaining agriculture of a high natural value is a priority in achieving the aim of halting the loss of biodiversity in the European Union (EU). However, extensive agriculture is unprofitable in many regions of the EU, which results in it being either abandoned or intensified in the absence of financial support. Hence, organic farming (OF), which is most often supported with public funds, can be an alternative to conventional agriculture in N2K areas. This article is an empirical study of the differences in perceiving the possibilities of farm functioning in a protected area (PA) by organic and conventional farm owners. It was examined whether this could be the actual path to improving farmers' living conditions in the context of legal protection of naturally valuable areas. The study material comprises the results of a survey conducted at the turn of 2016 and 2017, which addressed a total of 292 farmers, including 152 organic farm operators and 140 conventional farm operators, whose areas under cultivation were located within the N2K "Dolina Biebrzy" ("Biebrza Valley") PLH200008 area in Poland. For the analysis of the data collected using structured questionnaires, a variety of statistical methods and techniques were applied. The study results indicated that in terms of satisfaction with the economic performance of their farms, there is no major difference between the opinions expressed by organic and conventional farm owners. However, organic farming could be an alternative livelihood strategy from the environmental policy perspective.

Purpose: The objective of this research is to evaluate changes in the economic sustainability of dairy farms in the European Union (EU) countries during 2007-2016 when dairy quotas were being removed in the EU. We wanted to answer the question what is the economic sustainability of dairy farms in the EU, and how has the economic sustainability in the EU countries changed after the accession of new member states in 2004 and 2017. Design/Approach/Methodology: An economic sustainability assessment of farms was conducted using the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) census data with several economic efficiency indicators. We analyzed variables using the Hellwig method. Findings: Results indicate that milk production increased in almost all the countries of the EU, as did their economies. The largest annual increase in standard output (SO) was in Denmark, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Sweden and United Kingdom. In turn, the smallest annual increase in SO was in Lithuania, Bulgaria, Latvia and Poland. Dairy farms in the Czech Republic and Denmark had the highest economic sustainability, while dairy farms in Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania and Slovenia had the lowest economic sustainability. Practical Implications: While not providing a comprehensive assessment, the indicators used do provide important information about economic impacts related to the scale and distribution of production, difference in labor cost, sources of income and maintenance of farms. Originality/Value: Modern dairy farms must have production efficiency and environmental compliance to achieve sustainability. Much of the current literature focuses on the efficiency and environmental aspects of sustainability and there is a lack of data that assesses economic sustainability. ; peer-reviewed

Purpose: The main focus is on the export and import of agricultural products in the EU in the years 2002-2017 outside the EU (extra-EU). Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper investigates the impact of EU (European Union) enlargement on food trade using descriptive statistics. First, EU-28 exports, imports, and trade balance of agricultural products outside the EU (extra-EU) are presented for 2002-2017. Findings: The trade balance between EU countries for food, beverages, and tobacco are also presented. Accession has led to the elimination of trade tariffs and accelerated improvements in trade. The most exported products by EU countries were alcoholic beverages (spirits and liquors, wine, and vermouth), bakery products, and wheat. Most of the export of agri-food products is directed to other EU countries, Russia, China, and various countries in South America, Africa, and Asia. Imports to EU countries comprised mostly of vegetables and fruits, coffee, tea, cocoa, and various fish products. Practical implications: The results will fill in the gap concerning the food trade of agricultural products in the EU. Originality/Value: The new information about extra EU trade of agricultural products and a GARCH (Generalized Autoregressive Conditionally Heteroscedastic) model was presented. ; peer-reviewed