Estonias growing pains ahead of EU entry

24 February 1998

Estonias growing pains ahead of EU entry

THE relationship between banks and farms is growing increasingly hostile in Estonia as farms face a painful transition to the free market and the European Union.

The new, open trading climate might have been good for banks, but farmers have seen the relative importance of agriculture dwindle since 1991.

Now preparation for EU membership means farmers will have to comply with “onerous” legislative harmonisation, raise hygiene and veterinary standards and develop the administrative capacity to apply policy instruments demanded by the Common Agricultural Policy.

• Financial Times 24/02/98 page VIII (Estonia survey)