EN
In general, comparisons between Poland's agriculture and that of EU countries do not show Poland in a favourable light. This is true of most of the analysed features, i.e. level of employ-ment. agrarian structure, yields, productivity, etc. However, it is not possible to regard this uncritically, since it needs to be recalled that the agricultural sector in the member states has received and continues to receive massive financial support. At the same lime. Poland's small farmers have had to contend with many problems and have in the last dccadc been left at the mercy of free-market mechanisms. Following accession to the EU, Poland - with its large area of agricultural land, numerous farms and high level of employment in agriculture - will become the Union's most agricultural country. In connection with the low level of development of the sector, it should gain the largest amount of financial support. However, difficult negotiations and delays in implementing the SAPARD programme show that this is a purely theoretical assumption at this stage. The low level of specialisation of Polish agriculture cannot be treated as a purely negative phenomenon. Indeed, it may be looked on as a positive manifestation of the rationality of the Polish famcr's actions in a transformation period characterised by unpredictability of product prices and demand. The gap noted between Poland's agriculture and that of Western Europe is a huge one which will take dccadcs to close. That said, Poland continues to boast something that EU countries have lost, i.e. a new type of environment-friendly agriculture. Recalling the latest revised assumptions of the CAP. Polish agriculture may actually be considered a closer approximation of the new model of agricultural management than that in any of the current EU member states. This is a great chance for us.