Fin. Min. expects SAPARD funds this year though obstacles are mounting

"If nothing goes wrong, we will receive the first installment of money from the European Union (EU) SAPARD program for rural development later this year," said deputy Finance Minister Krzysztof Ners after talks with the European Commission (EC). Poland will receive euro 168 million in grants each year. The payments can amount up to 49% of the total amount the EU plans to spend on all aid programs. The main obstacle may be that money from SAPARD would decrease funds for other EU programs. Other reasons for possible delays in granting SAPARD funds are the great number of beneficiaries, agricultural production specifications and the complicated structures of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) under which SAPARD operates. (Rzeczpospolita, page A1, B1) M.M.