EUROPE'S Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) needs urgent reform to prevent thousands of farmers being forced into bankruptcy following Poland's overwhelming vote in favour of EU membership.
Green Euro-MP Jean Lambert welcomed the 75% vote in favour of accession to the EU in 2004, but warned Poland's farmers face ruin unless the CAP is urgently reformed.
"The Polish people have expressed their overwhelming support for their country's accession to the European Union," said Mrs Lambert.
"The vote represents a slap in the face for reactionary forces within the country who had tried to stir up right-wingers into voting against EU membership.
"I wish Poland much success as a new member of the union - but both Poland and the EU will have to make huge efforts to ensure the integration is completed smoothly. Poland's small farmers are particularly at threat from the bias towards industrial-scale producers in the CAP.
"Without urgent reform thousands of Polish farmers will be forced off the land - the enormous challenge of dismantling the CAP has never been more urgent."
ENDS
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