The reasons for and results of changes in agricultural structures

Osztrogonácz, Ivó

Keywords: agricultural policies, plant structure, production structure, part time farming, SAPS

An interesting and in depth analysis of the reasons and effects of changes in agricultural structures took place in the 96. EAAE Seminars, the first this year held in Tänikon, Switzerland. It has been pointed out that structural problems are not typically the problems of countries in transformation. In the case of older EU members structural changes also cause significant difficulties, although in a different sense. For new members of the EU it is important to sort out ownership problems and to adapt EU agricultural policies smoothly. For older members the task is to continue already operational farms on part time basis and to prepare for the integration of production and processing and for the application of changing agricultural policies. Increased research activities are expected in this topic among both home and foreign agricultural economists and for these the Swiss conference provided a suitable basis.