05/08/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Network of Independent Experts in the CEE Candidate Countries and the Institute for Agricultural Development in Central and Eastern Europe's report was published on Friday on "Social security systems and demographic developments in agriculture in the CEE candidate countries". The report stresses that reform of the social security systems in these countries in order to stabilise their funding, as in other EU Member States are ongoing and that a large number of farmers are not covered adequately. Most experts share the view that current social security arrangements have little impact on demographic developments or structural change in the market oriented agricultural sectors in those countries. The experts suggest encouraging farmers to take up early retirement through incentives in the social security system might be an alternative, provided it led to an accelerated restructuring of the sector.