Quality evaluation schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs in Poland in previous and present financial perspective of EU

Abstract

: The study presents quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs that have been developed since the EU was founded. The schemes were based on the need to strive for diversification of agricultural production, to identify ways to increase the market value of products, while protecting consumers against inaccurate information on the ways and methods of production. The implementation of schemes has been described in the Polish context and on the example of two measures included in the next financial perspectives. The RDP 2007-2013 has been identified as using financial instruments at a low level. It means that the beneficiaries are not interested in activities related to the quality of agricultural products. In addition, the implementing body (ARR – Agricultural Market Agency) has not taken advantage of all the opportunities for encouraging beneficiaries to switch to quality production. The call for applications within the RDP 2014-2020 suggests a possibility of failure to meet specific indicators at the level of 25.9 thousand, due to the adopted criteria and difficulties in accessing the support.