The use of discourse on multifunctional agriculture in Bulgaria and Czech Republic: The case of agricultural lobby

This chapter assesses the process of Europeanisation of social actors through a discussion on the use of the discourse around ‘multifunctional agriculture' (MF) during negotiations for EU accession of two candidate countries. The focus is on the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. The first section presents a discussion on the theoretical aspects of the concept of Europeanisation in the field of social actors, particularly professional interest groups. The second part explains how MF, as a Europeanised policy, has been transferred to Central and Eastern European countries. This is followed by case studies from the Czech Republic and Bulgaria and their potential policy implications

Czech Republic, 'Europe' and its farmers: how is agricultural interest intermediation affected by accession to the EU. European Political Economy Review Vol. 3, No. 2 (Winter 2005-2006), pp. 112-142

Studying patterns of interest intermediation in the new EU member states is an important research topic as it provides us with the opportunity to observe interest intermediation at its early stage of development. This article examines how accession to the EU affected intermediation of interest groups in CEECs. The author demonstrates it through the observation of the Czech agrarian sector and competing associations representing the dual structure of Czech farming. Particular attention is paid to the influence of the mid-term reviewed CAP. The paper concludes on different patterns of usage of ‘Europe’ by the mediators, through the inclusion in domestic or transnational networks