A research project on Sustainable Agriculture in Central and Eastern Europe (CEESA)

• Project Dates: 1999 - 2002
• Project Leader: Matthew Gorton
• Staff: Matthew Gorton, Philip Lowe and Annette Zellei
• Sponsors: EU Fifth Framework Programme

This research investigated the extent to which the requirements of environmental protection and nature conservation were taken into account in the transformation process in 12 CEE countries* and studied the required changes in agricultural institutions, policies and farm management of these countries with particular attention to the applicant countries' preparation for EU membership.

The international research group comprised researchers from the Humboldt University Berlin,University of Helsinki, Wageningen Agricultural University, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and the Sub-regional Office for Central and Eastern Europe of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. The group also cooperated with individual researchers from twelve CEECs.

The research was organised into working groups covering the institutions of sustainability, agri-environmental policies, and sustainable farming systems. The Newcastle team investigated the agri-environmental policy aspects of the project.

*Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine