What changes have taken place in the rural environment since your childhood?

I come from a rural community. I was born and brought up here. The Choczewo Gmina, in which I live and where I am actively involved in social and business life, belongs to the so-called ‘recovered areas’ (given back to Poland after World War II). Throughout my youth I observed considerable changes. The area is inhabited by people from eastern and central parts of Poland as well as resettled Polish families from Lithuania, Belarus, the Ukraine and local Kashubians. The post-war period and the 70s saw considerable economic stagnation with virtually no investment. People were afraid that the former landowners (who had left for Germany during and after World War II) would return and take over their estates. It took a long time for the local people to change their attitude. It was only my generation who began to invest in the community. The 70s and 80s were marked by an economic boom. The Choczewo ‘gmina’ was a typical agricultural region, where over 70 % of the economy was state-run, with the Plant Nursery, and 30 % of private farming. It should be stressed that the level of agriculture in both sectors was high in comparison to the present day. The state-owned sector specialised in the cultivation of grain and potatoes and animal husbandry (cattle and pigs). The 90s, however, brought a decline in agriculture. The current agricultural policy is not conducive to the development of agricultural production.

Could you compare the situation in rural areas in Poland with that in west European countries which are already EU members?

It all depends on how you look at it. At present the West is interested in healthy agricultural produce. Our agricultural production can guarantee that. I am strongly convinced that our food is both healthy and good, since we do not use many fertilisers or insecticides and rely on traditional farming methods. But, on the other hand, it is true that we do not meet EU standards in agricultural production. To meet the requirements our agriculture needs more state funding, similarly to EU.

How do local people feel about Polish accession to the EU?

I believe that large numbers of people are not happy about it. We are not prepared for the process, since nothing has been done in agriculture for the last decade. People who are professionally involved in farming have been left to their own resources. The lack of a proper programme and information has resulted in unfavourable attitudes, not to mention a lack of adequate infrastructure, e.g. local water supply systems in need of repair, no sewage or effective land drainage.

What are the attitudes of the locals towards the possibility of land acquisition by foreigners, which obviously is one of the preconditions of our EU membership?

Some local people, especially of the older generation, are afraid that former estate owners will come back and gradually buy out the farms.

Has the gmina received any EU subsidies?

In co-operation with the neighbouring gminas we have applied for some financial support from ISPA and PHARE for gas pipelines and a further development of the existing sewage system.

In what way can Poland's EU membership influence the situation in this area?

The first phase may result in considerable instability since we do not have access to resources and, what is even more important, markets. But there also exists an opportunity. The gmina has already started changing its character and now perceives its development to lie in agro-tourism and outdoor pursuits rather than agriculture itself, which might have an impact on the inhabitants’ quality of life, making it better.

Thank you very much for the interview

Agnieszka Gawlik, Basia Kapusta