EU approves EUR1.8 billion for food sector and rural development in Poland.

The European Commission has approved Poland's Sectoral Operational Programme for Restructuring and Modernisation of the Food Sector and Rural Development for the period 2004-2006. The programme includes a broad range of rural development measures. The focus is on the modernisation of the farming sector, improvement of the processing sector, and the encouragement of rural development. The European Union's contribution from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, Guidance Section amounting to EUR 1.192 billion for the period 2004-2006, will be complemented by national public funding of EUR 591 million.