EUROPEAN UNION SUPPORT FOR NATURA 2000 SITES UNDER THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2014-2020
EUROPEAN UNION SUPPORT FOR NATURA 2000 SITES UNDER THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2014-2020

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present aid tools available under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 addressed to Polish agricultural producers operating in Natura 2000 areas. The main questions the present study strives to answer are: What are the main purposes of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020? How did agri-environmental schemes influence Polish agricultural activities in order to achieve the Natura 2000 objectives in agricultural areas? How can we evaluate the financial instruments included in the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, particularly the financial support under the “Investments in farms located in Natura 2000 areas”? In this particular study, methods and techniques developed within the framework of legal science were applied to approach the raised questions and to formulate conclusions. Therefore, the basic method of the research was the formal-dogmatic method, in particular, legal linguistic interpretation, in order to analyze and assess the subject related legislation. To some extent, the legal comparative method has been also applied to approach to the European Union’s solutions. The theoretical legal method has been treated as an auxiliary measure to determine the significance of Natura 2000 procedures. In the article, there are also presented some statistical data acquired through access to public information in January 2021, reported to the Analysis and Reporting Department of the Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture. Since Natura 2000 has been established to enable sustainable and effective protection of ecosystems within the European Union, agricultural activities are undoubtedly more problematic, as they entail additional responsibilities. However, the assumption is that Natura 2000 compensates for these disadvantages through the possibility of obtaining EU funding. Polish farmers may receive compensation or other forms of co-financing from the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 if restrictions on farming activities have been introduced. Polish local self-government actively participates in ecological and agri-environmental policy. It supports Natura 2000 programme.

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