DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN MOUNTAINS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WORKS

Abstract

The article addresses an issue of creating new policy for mountain areas with special regard to agriculture, which has been the subject of the European Parliament debates. An overview analysis of three documents referring to the problems of farming, particularly to arable farming in mountain areas, was conducted. The basic document for analysis was a Project of the European Parliament resolution concerning the situation and perspectives of agriculture in mountain areas. The other analyzed documents comprised opinions of the Commission for the Regional Development and justification of the project of a resolution, as well as the Project of report on Common Agricultural Policy after 2013. These documents originated on the basis of debates concerning CAP reforms and the extent and methods of supporting agriculture and disadvantaged areas, including mountain areas, in the new economic projection for the years 2013–2020. They pointed to the necessity of retaining direct payments as an important instrument of sustainable use of agricultural land. Financial recompense for the outlays on organic farming and sustained use of permanent grasslands are of particular importance. A necessity of improving current system of assistance for mountain areas and seeking new economic instruments in this area was pointed out.