EU funds as an instrument of the development of cooperatives in agriculture and rural areas

The aim of this paper is to attempt to answer the question whether EU funds are an effective instrument for the development of cooperatives in agriculture and rural areas. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the provisions relating to both the legal regulations of EU funds and the establishment and operation of cooperatives. Firstly, the paper presents selected general issues concerning the cooperative movement in agriculture. Then, the discussion relates to agricultural producer groups, particularly the principles of using the EU funds and the characteristics of these entities. Subsequently, the research focuses on agricultural production cooperatives, dairy cooperatives and social cooperatives, especially in respect of the EU funds of which they could be beneficiaries. In conclusion, the author states that the European funds are unquestionably an effective tool for the development of cooperatives in agriculture and rural areas. First of all, it refers to cooperative agricultural producer groups and social cooperatives which run also agricultural activities. At the same time the EU funds serve as an additional factor in mobilizing groups of agricultural producers to extend the basic purpose of their activities. It refers mainly to processing. The author puts forward the demand for further financial support for groups of agricultural producers after 2013 and the adoption of a new Cooperative Law, and a separate law on agricultural cooperatives