Sustainable development of rural areas, protection of the natural environment and cultural heritage Protection of the natural environment and resources constitutes an integral part of structural and rural development policy. Natural resources are not only a necessary input in agriculture but a vital part of the heritage of the whole of society. Whereas agriculture does play an important but rarely appreciated role in environmental management and landscape conservation, it is also a potential source of environmental pollution and degradation. The present state of the environment in rural areas leaves much to be desired. Many initiatives are needed, particularly to improve water and soil resources and waste disposal and also to increase the protection of nature and the landscape.
All strategic documents are subject to such an assessment.
The necessity to adopt EU wide legislation will lead to additional commitments in the field of the environment, nature and landscape protection in rural areas. Strict pollution standards will need to be respected according to specific waste disposal methods and rules about the use of natural resources. Since EU regulations tend to be more detailed than their Polish equivalents, a wide information campaign will be required together with investment support to help agri - business meet the new standards.