Ewolucja statusu gospodarstwa rolnego i gospodarstwa ekologicznego w prawie polskim i prawie UE

This article discusses the issues related to the legal structure of the farm as an organized whole, viewed as a set of components, but primarily in functional terms, as a defined operation. In recent years, the farms have faced changes relating to the agricultural policy pursued after the accession of Poland to the European Union. With regard to Poland, the occurring legal changes concern historical political conditions and the Common Agricultural Policy. A considerable intensification and specialization of agricultural production, the use of chemical fertilizers, machinery, plant protection products and new genetic engineering technologies have contributed to environmental degradation and the need to protect it for future generations, which has found application in the legal regulations concerning the changes in the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union. The directions of changes in the status of the agricultural farm gave the opportunity for a transition from conventional farming to organic production, certified or integrated, based on the principle of sustainable development. In addition to typical agricultural production, the European Union is now striving to integrate rural areas into multifunctional activities aimed at fulfilling the production functions, spatial and environmental functions, as well as service functions by the farm. Protection of Earth’s natural resources is, therefore, implemented through the search for other, more friendly management methods for the farm, which is reflected both in the Polish law and the European Union law.