Franz Fishler says EU's agricultural offer is as much as can be expected

Poland can expect no more aid for its agriculture than was promised by the European Commission - this is the message of the two-day visit by Franz Fishler, EU Commissioner for agriculture, which starts today. The Commissioner will try to convince Polish authorities and farmers' organizations that the Commission's offer is still very attractive to Polish agriculture. Brussels offered 25% of direct subsidies in the first year, gradually increasing over the next nine. If the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, proposed by the Commission, is passed by the fifteen members of the union, the subsidies in Poland will equal those in the EU after seven years of membership. Danuta Hübner, European Affairs Minister admitted that maintenance of customs rates for EU food and budget subsidies for farmers were being considered. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) P.W.