The Specificity of Economic Integration Processes in Agriculture

Theories of economic integration refer to the benefits of creating a free trade area (trade creation effect, the effect of shifting trade flows). While observing the economic reality, it seems that it is difficult to limit the benefits of integration agreements only to the issues of foreign trade. The paper states that economic ties create added value in the form of economic, social and environmental effects in many areas, including agriculture. Another manifestation of the so-called European Added Value is the financing of non-agricultural measures from the CAP. Integration agreements may, however, also cause negative phenomena, e.g. through the possibility of lowering standards in terms of product quality, food safety and animal welfare