The European commission has offered to pay Polish farmers 25 percent of the subsidies in 2004 that they will be getting from 2013 when the full amount will be paid. If 2004 is to be considered the first year of Polish membership of the EU then this is equal to a ten year transition period. By 2005 thirty percent will be paid and in 2006 35 percent. The EU believes that if this already generous offer were improved upon then it would have the reverse effect from that intended, rather than improve rural efficiency, it would give no good reason to do anything about the current state of affairs and eventually lead to the destruction of the countryside.