Poland’s membership in European structures forced Polish food producers to adapt to the solutions applied under the Common Agricultural Policy. One of them is the operation under quality schemes, which play a part in the income diversification and increasing rural activities, and constitute an important attribute that could prejudge the competitiveness of Polish food producers. The geographical position of the country, rich cultural heritage, and unpolluted environment support the development of food quality markings. National food producers participate actively in quality schemes set both at the Community and national levels. The purpose of this paper is to determine the place of quality policy in the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU, with particular emphasis on food quality schemes as well as on other forms of distinguishing high quality products after Poland’s accession to the European Union, and to examine the range of their use by domestic entities. To achieve this objective, a descriptive method and an analysis of literature were utilised.

Poland’s membership in European structures forced Polish food producers to adapt to the solutions applied under the Common Agricultural Policy. One of them is the operation under quality schemes, which play a part in the income diversification and increasing rural activities, and constitute an important attribute that could prejudge the competitiveness of Polish food producers. The geographical position of the country, rich cultural heritage, and unpolluted environment support the development of food quality markings. National food producers participate actively in quality schemes set both at the Community and national levels. The purpose of this paper is to determine the place of quality policy in the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU, with particular emphasis on food quality schemes as well as on other forms of distinguishing high quality products after Poland’s accession to the European Union, and to examine the range of their use by domestic entities. To achieve this objective, a descriptive method and an analysis of literature were utilised.