Threatened family farms

Although the vital economic and social importance of family farming is now realized to a greater extent than in the past, a 1983 European study emphasized that governments are not pursuing an agricultural policy designed to secure the economic survival of family farms, although most European governments recognize these farms as the model for their agricultural policies. Land area and soil quality are the main problems of family farms in many regions, namely because of a lack of programmes for the protection and maintenance of agricultural land, insufficient, measures to preserve the unity of farms, and a lack of directives to facilitate land purchase by farmers - granting of lands, tax exemptions, right of pre-emption. Modern farm leasing legislation also constitutes a hindrance. The maintenance and development of family farms is closely bound up with cooperation and producers' associations, and there is a lack farmers' collaboration with these organizations.