Farming commissioner proposes gradual introduction of farm subisidies

The European Union (EU)'s farming commissioner Franz Fischler has disclosed an outline of his plan to provide new EU member countries with direct farming subsidies in gradually increasing quantities. Fischler said that granting full subsidies right away would hinder necessary restructuring of the sector. He therefore advocates a transition period, unofficially estimated at seven years, during which the subsidies would gradually rise to the full amount. According to unofficial sources, at the beginning the allocation rate would be only 15% to 25% of the full amount. In its negotiations with the EU, Poland will seek to obtain the full amount, estimated at between euro 2.8 and euro 4.2 billion in 2004. (Gazeta Wyborcza, Jan. 12-13, p. 25) T.J.