PM tells farmers not to fear EU

Some 6,000 farmers complained to Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas about the European Union last week during the annual farmers' congress.

Farmers from across Lithuania gathered at the Vilnius Concert and Sport Palace on March 21 to voice concerns over proposed subsidies to candidate countries.

"We'll lose Lithuania's freedom and traditions after joining the EU," said Kestutis Bruzas, chairman of the Association of Lithuanian Vegetables' Producers. "The EU needs our market. They don't need our farmers."

The European Commission has proposed offering new European Union members 25 percent of the agricultural subsidies presently given to member countries. The farm aid would become equal after 10 years.

Farmers from across Eastern Europe have protested the plan, saying it would make new countries second-class members.

Lithuania plans to join the EU in 2004.

Emotions ran high during the congress, with some comparing EU expansion with Soviet occupation.

"Lithuanian farmers will receive 25 litas while present EU members will receive 100 litas. How will we compete?" asked farmers' activist Jonas Ramonas.

Brazauskas told the congress that lower EU subsidies would still help more than no subsidies at all.

"The Lithuanian government (provides) 660 million litas ($165 million) through various channels to the agriculture sector each year," he said. "It can't afford more. Only EU membership will solve farmers' problems."

Brazauskas said that agricultural prices would increase after joining the EU and that Lithuanian farmers should receive an extra 500 million litas because of this rise in 2004 alone.

Farmers are also demanding a seven-year moratorium on the sale of agricultural land to foreigners. They pointed to neighboring Poland, which reached an agreement with the European Commission stating that foreign farmers will only be able to buy farm land after a 12-year transition period.

Brazauskas said that he was against a transitional period. Farmers from EU countries should be able to buy Lithuanian farmland, he said, adding that there should, however, be obstacles for foreign companies who want to buy farm land.

The reading of the congress-ending resolution stating farmers' demands lasted 20 minutes. Brazauskas' reply was short.

"They are unrealistic demands," he said "They will remain only on paper."

The farmers' reaction to Brazauskas contrasted dramatically to the reception given last year to President Valdus Adamkus.

Adamkus was met with hissing and whistling when he spoke about EU membership. He did not attend this year.

Then Prime Minister Rolandas Paksas also attended last year and told farmers what they wanted to hear, despite the political reality, said one political commentator.

"Last year (Paksas) promised everything that it was possible to promise farmers," she said in her weekly radio commentary on Lithuanian National Radio. "It is necessary to pay tribute to Brazauskas, who was courageous enough to risk losing his popularity by promising them nothing."