Summary:

The paper presents some results of Author’s own studies and field research, as well the model research conducted by IMBER on agricultural holdings transformation from extensive and intensive conventional organization of production to sustainable systems of agricultural production integrated with the rural environment. Such evolutional restructuring will involve almost all commercial farms covered by the obligations stated in the European Union Directives and requirements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The main objective of the organizational, technological and ecological transformations in the activities of development agricultural holdings remains and will remain obtaining increasingly safer (healthy) raw materials and food products under conditions of better energy and the environment saving in rural areas. The development of organic agricultural production, i.e. conducted without the use of any agrochemicals, was viewed critically. A necessity for practical utilisation of the latest achievements of agrochemical industry and biological progress, including genetically modified organisms (GMO) was indicated. It was recommended that a precise, sustainable production should be developed using organic methods and modern technical means. The standards and methods of checking the supply of safe food to the market were assessed. It was found that not all parameters applied for certification of agricultural raw materials and products or parameters for protection of soil, water, air and animals against contamination, result from current basic or applied research. The Author postulated developing interdisciplinary development research on human nutrition and food and well as implementation of modern techniques and technologies for obtaining safe raw materials and food products.