This report will describes the influence of the enlargement of the EU on the Common
Agricultural Policy ( CAP ).
I have chosen this topic, because it is most important, due to the huge influence of the
CAP on the EU`S financial budget. Also the future for the CAP is very uncertain and
this will have a large impact on the European farmers.
For the successful completion of this work I had to understand why there is an CAP
and how it works, so that I could think about the future of it.
First I gave a short look on history, this is very important to understand the CAP.
I considered that having a short look on how the CAP works would be a very
important step to analyse the impact of the Enlargement.
After having analyzed how the CAP works I had an closer look on the costs of the
CAP and discussed the advantages and disadvantages.
Then I am giving some facts and figures about the wheat industry and in conclusion
to that I had a closer look on eastern Europe on the example of Poland.
Furthermore I analyzed the impact of the enlargement on the Wheat industry
The last part of the report is a short conclusion about this topic.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. A brief look on history
3. Current Situation
3.1 The way it works
3.2 Advantages and Disadvantages
3.3 The cost of the CAP
4. Case Study
4.1 The Wheat Industry
4.2 Eastern Europe – on the Example of Poland
4.3 Effects on the Wheat Industry on the Example of Poland
5. Conclusion
6. References
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This report investigates the influence of the European Union's enlargement on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It aims to evaluate the financial implications of the CAP on the EU budget, analyze the structural challenges facing the agricultural sector, and assess how future enlargement and potential reforms will impact European wheat producers and rural communities.
- The historical development and core objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy.
- Mechanisms and current elements of the CAP, including target prices and intervention systems.
- Economic analysis of the wheat industry within the context of EU subsidies and trade barriers.
- Specific case study of Poland's agricultural landscape and its transition towards EU integration.
- Future implications of EU enlargement and the necessity for CAP reform in light of WTO pressures.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Eastern Europe – on the example of Poland
Poland is the largest of the new member states of the EU. It has also 32 % of the agricultural area of the new members. It will be 10 % of the total agricultural area of the enlarged union. 2,6 million people are working there, that are 18,8 % of the working force, compared to the EU average of 4,4 %. After Romania with 4,8 million workers, Poland will have the second highest employment in Agriculture in the EU-27, before Italy with 1,1 million.
Even today, before the enlargement the polish agricultural industry is on a way of integration with western Europe. Nearly 59 % of the imports and 56 % of the exports are made with the EU and central Europe.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the scope of the report, emphasizing the significance of the CAP in the EU budget and the motivation behind analyzing its future amidst EU enlargement.
2. A brief look on history: Provides a historical overview of Europe's transition to food security policies after World War 2 and the emergence of the CAP as a protected sector.
3. Current Situation: Details the operational mechanisms of the CAP, the advantages and disadvantages of existing subsidies, and the financial burden the policy places on the EU budget.
4. Case Study: Presents an analysis of the European wheat industry, focusing on production statistics and the specific socio-economic conditions of the agricultural sector in Poland.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the argument that the CAP should be gradually abolished to benefit consumers and the environment, shifting towards market-oriented food procurement.
6. References: Lists the academic and institutional sources consulted for the report.
Keywords
Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, European Union, EU Enlargement, Wheat Industry, Poland, Agricultural Subsidies, Food Security, Intervention Price, World Trade Organization, WTO, Farm Profitability, Agricultural Reform, European Economy, Market Integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this report?
The report examines the influence of EU enlargement on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its subsequent impact on European farmers and the EU's financial stability.
What are the core thematic fields addressed?
The study covers agricultural history, the operational mechanisms of the CAP, the economic status of the wheat industry, and the integration of new member states, specifically Poland, into the EU agricultural system.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to understand why the CAP exists, how its current subsidy-based model functions, and why it requires urgent reform to survive future challenges like WTO regulations and EU expansion.
Which methodology is applied in this research?
The author uses a combination of historical analysis, economic evaluation of current policy structures, and a comparative case study of the wheat industry and the Polish agricultural sector.
What topics are explored in the main body of the report?
The main body investigates the mechanisms of the CAP, the costs associated with it, the advantages and disadvantages of current subsidies, and the specific impact of these policies on wheat production and eastern European markets.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Common Agricultural Policy, EU Enlargement, Wheat Industry, Agricultural Subsidies, Farm Profitability, and Market Reform.
Why is Poland specifically highlighted in the case study?
Poland is chosen because it represents the largest new member state, holding a significant portion of the enlarged union's agricultural land and employing a much higher percentage of its workforce in agriculture than the EU average.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the future of the CAP?
The author concludes that the CAP should be gradually abolished to reduce costs for European consumers, improve environmental standards by prioritizing quality over quantity, and align with global market demands.
- Quote paper
- Christian Müller (Author), 2003, The CAP and the Enlargement of the EU, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/20368
