Neo-colonialism in the Polish rural world: CAP approach and the phenomenon of suitcase farmers

Abstract

Notwithstanding the opportunities it provides, the implementation of some measures of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (EU CAP), including agri-environment-climate measures (AECMs), also generates threats. The study identifies an extremely disturbing process that can be referred to as “internal neo-colonialism”, which has been driven by the technocratic agrarian policy of the EU and transformations in Poland at the turn of the twenty-first century. The associated disadvantageous practices mainly affect areas under threat of marginalisation and peripheralisation, including Poland with its post-Socialist heritage, which has shaped the attitudes and behaviour of society and has consolidated linkages between politics and business. In order to retrace such activities, the study analyses EU funds granted in support of farmers implementing AECMs, with a focus on analysing the place of residence of the “farmer” and the location of the farm. As the research shows, the attractiveness of CAP support causes Polish agriculture and Poland’s countryside, including its natural and financial resources, to be drained by so-called “suitcase farmers”, i.e. people/entities not tied to the place where the agricultural activity is pursued, many of whom live in cities. One common practice is to take over land located in legally protected areas noted for their high quality of natural environment. Not only does the practice of land grabbing strengthen the social exclusion of rural communities and the peripheralisation and pauperisation of these areas, but it also hinders discussion about environmental justice and the ecological integrity of rural areas.

Public preference for the rewilding framework: A choice experiment in the Oder Delta

“…In Germany, the mean income is approximately three times higher than in Poland (Eurostat, 2021); thus, this finding could be down to respondents having more to spend on nature. Further (Biczkowski et al., 2023), credit neo‐colonial pressures as fostering a feeling of abandonment and appropriation among rural populations in Poland, fostering indifference to ecological considerations.…”

Renewable energy creditors versus renewable energy debtors: Seeking a pattern in a sustainable energy transition during the climate crisis

“…These include, for example, the asymmetric division of funds with a s/ubstantial competitive advantage of large agricultural enterprises, the location of which does not always coincide with the presence of valuable natural areas (Wiśniewski et al, 2021). Biczkowski et al (2022) identify an extremely disturbing process that can be referred to as "internal neo-colonialism." The attractiveness of support funds causes agriculture and rural areas, including their natural and financial resources, to be drained by external (supra-local) entities.…”

Rebalance power and strengthen farmers’ position in the EU food system? A CDA of the Farm to Fork Strategy

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a material, institutional, and discursive reconfiguration of all elements in our food system and underlying drivers. A shift in approaches to governance and ethical standards has also been identified to counter the dominant agro-industrial paradigm with relocalized food systems, leading to a radical systemic change that is more inclusive of smallholder farmers (Bui et al 2019).In Europe, agricultural development has been riddled with conflicting standards across the Western and Eastern European states, sidestepping local socio-economic and cultural factors for commercial ones in attaining short-term goals (Biczkowski et al 2022). The longstanding tradition of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) coupled with weak domestic governance had created numerous cracks in the EU food system, whose addressal was long overdue.

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“…In Europe, agricultural development has been riddled with conflicting standards across the Western and Eastern European states, sidestepping local socio-economic and cultural factors for commercial ones in attaining short-term goals (Biczkowski et al 2022). The longstanding tradition of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) coupled with weak domestic governance had created numerous cracks in the EU food system, whose addressal was long overdue.…”