New spatial plans in Poland could hamper the development of livestock farming and investment in farms. According to TopAgrar, farmers are warning of the risk of construction and modernization projects being blocked.

In its statement on the adoption of master plans by local authorities, the Greater Poland Chamber of Agriculture takes a critical view of the proposal. Above all, farmers fear that the tight deadlines for drawing up the plans will lead to superficial decisions, and that dialogue with farmers and the necessary consultations will be overlooked.

“In communities with a predominantly agricultural character, the master plan must clearly and consistently provide the conditions for the operation and development of agricultural production, particularly livestock farming,” emphasises WIR.

Four threats to agriculture

WIR has identified four key risks associated with the new plans:

  • restrictions on the development of livestock farming and modernisation;
  • pressure from housing development and social conflicts;
  • a freeze on investment in renewable energy and biogas plants;
  • the marginalisation of the agricultural function and the long-term legal implications.

According to WIR, there are many indications that the adopted mechanism for designating additional development zones will lead to the ‘closure’ of the area to development. Farmers report that the agricultural development zone is very restrictive, often defined along the outlines of buildings, which could have catastrophic consequences for farms.

“A lack of flexibility is hindering the construction of modern, low-emission livestock facilities (with more than 210 head of livestock). We expect that the master plans will allow for the expansion of farm buildings,” notes WIR.

Furthermore, farmers fear that conflicts with new villagers may escalate due to the proximity of residential developments to their farms.

“New residents often take issue with ‘rural smells’ or the noise of machinery at night during the harvest, which leads to complaints and attempts to restrict farmers’ activities,” notes WIR.

The organisation also criticises the prioritisation of recreational needs over agriculture, viewing this as discrimination.

“We demand that no residential developments be planned near farms,” stresses WIR.

A particular cause for concern is the absence of designated areas for biogas plants and associated infrastructure in the plans. According to farmers, this could hinder the development of the circular economy and complicate the effective use of organic fertilisers.

According to WIR, because the master plan is a piece of local legislation, it could have long-term consequences in the form of the compulsory implementation of decisions that would eliminate livestock farming under social pressure.

“The master plan must not be used as a tool to erode the traditional character of the village,” emphasises WIR.

What changes are being proposed?

In this regard, WIR offers a range of solutions:

  • protecting existing farms by introducing the principle of priority, which involves establishing general provisions to safeguard them from restrictions that may arise as a result of future residential development; new residential construction within 200 metres of farms;
  • genuine public consultations, i.e. meetings with farmers rather than a formal presentation of documents, so that they can check for themselves whether the floor area of their farm buildings will allow them to invest in the future, rather than covering only existing foundations;
  • ensuring the development of farm buildings by excluding the farm building zone from the general category of residential buildings in such a way that it covers the entire area adjacent to settlement plots, and young farmers can build houses next to their farms to prevent the village from becoming depopulated;
  • the primacy of agriculture in rural communities in the face of urbanisation; according to WIR, farmers managing farms of up to 300 hectares must be guaranteed the scope to expand in order to ensure the country’s food security.

The organisation also stresses the need to pass a law on the productive functions of rural communities, which must be aligned with the new plans.

Farmers warn that, unless these changes are taken into account, livestock farming in Greater Poland could gradually decline, which would deal a significant blow to the region’s economy.

Source: TopAgrar