Warsaw warns farmers against blocking border as obstruction could disrupt Polish exports
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Czeslaw Siekierski, wrote a letter to farmers protesting in Poland, urging them not to block the border with Ukraine. Its text is published on the website of the department.
→ simplification and easing of requirements within the framework of the European Green Deal program;
→ restrictions on the import of agricultural products from Ukraine;
→ increasing the profitability of agricultural production.
The European Commission has already agreed to soften the requirements of the Green Deal, and the regulation of agricultural trade with Ukraine has become one of the priorities of the Polish ministry.
There is already a ban on the import of grain, rapeseed, sunflower, as well as some processed products: wheat flour, semolina, bran and cake. "At the same time, we strive to reach a bilateral agreement with Ukraine that would expand the scope of protection of our market to include other sensitive products, such as sugar, poultry meat, eggs, soft fruits, honey, apple juice, oil," Siekierski wrote.
The official indicated that the value of agricultural imports from Ukraine in 2023 amounted to 1.69 billion euros, but Poland also exported its agricultural products for 1.03 billion euros.
"The complete closure of the border may lead to the suspension of Polish exports of agricultural goods to Ukraine, which threatens the elimination of many jobs," Siekierski warned.
The minister indicated that at the beginning of March, the Polish authorities plan to pay subsidies to corn producers and aid for drought. The program of providing liquidity loans at 2% will also be resumed. The government will also consider the possibility of providing subsidies for grain crops and fertilizers and increasing fuel subsidies.
"Dear farmers! We strive to jointly solve the problems of Polish agriculture – both current and future. We invite the representatives of farmers to further negotiations," wrote Siekierski.
Since February 9, Polish farmers on tractors have been blocking roads in almost 300 cities and towns across the country. Among them are six checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Polish border.
On February 11, protesters dumped three tons of Ukrainian grain on the Polish road near the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint. Ukraine reacted negatively to this act – with statements from both the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Beginning on February 18, some Poles disrupted passenger transport, including on railroads.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to actions taken by Polish protesters, saying their behavior amounted to harassment.