Farmers took to the streets, hundreds of roads were blocked. There is a reaction from the ministry

A nationwide farmers’ protest is underway, organized under the slogan “Europe means cultivating and breeding”. The protesters are primarily against the introduction and uncontrolled inflow of goods from Ukraine. Since late morning, tractors and other slow-moving machinery, and even pedestrians crossing the lanes, have been blocking hundreds of roads. Protests are taking place in over 200 places throughout Poland. You can find a full map of the protests here.

Ministry of Agriculture: We understand the legitimacy of the protests

The government shows understanding. – There are many protests taking place across the country today and we understand their justification. This is farmers’ opposition to Brussels’ policy, which imposes further restrictions and requirements in connection with the Green Deal or the Common Agricultural Policy. A year ago, when the regulations were being established, farmers expressed their comments, but perhaps not strongly enough to be heard – said, for example, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Stefan Krajewski.

In Nysa, the protesting farmers were also joined by Secretary of State Michał Kołodziejczak, who emphasized that “times have changed when no one from the ministry reached out to farmers.” – I am with you so that our Polish agriculture feeds Poles. I am with you because you are here so that we Poles do not starve now and in the future and do not overpay for food. I am here with you so that Polish agriculture will ensure food security for Poland, said Kołodziejczak.

Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski will meet with protesters

Even the most important person in the ministry, i.e. the Minister of Agriculture, Czesław Siekierski, will reach out to farmers. He announced that after his return, he would meet with protesting farmers in Słupno, Płock County, although it is already known that the meeting will be slightly delayed. “Due to the delay in the departure from Brussels, the meeting will be held in the afternoon,” the Ministry of Agriculture informs on social media. The minister was in Brussels at the Council of Ministers of the European Union for Agriculture.

– Due to the excessive opening of the area and the inflow of goods from outside the EU, including from Ukraine, significant disruptions occurred on the Polish market – emphasized Minister Siekierski even before arriving in the country. According to information provided on the ministerial website, Siekierski talked to the EU Commissioner for Trade. He allegedly demanded that he limit the liberalization of trade regulations with Ukraine.

Donald Tusk: Full-scale consultations between the governments of Poland and Ukraine are back

The uncontrolled inflow of goods from Ukraine was also one of the topics that Donald Tusk discussed during his stay in Ukraine. announced at a press conference that full-scale consultations between the governments of Poland and Ukraine are returning. The next ones are scheduled to take place in Warsaw in the second half of March. – This is what I initially agreed with Prime Minister Shmyhal and President Zelensky – he emphasized. Donald Tusk said that the topics of consultations will include, among others: precisely the issues of Ukrainian grain and its import to Poland.

In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized that both countries wanted to seek solutions regarding the export of agricultural goods through our territory. Therefore, the Polish government wants to sign an agreement with Ukraine on the transit of agricultural products. The agreement – as the head of government said – will protect the interests of Polish farmers against uncontrolled inflow of goods from . Bulgaria and Romania have already signed it with the government in Kiev. – We will look for a similar agreement at the level of the Ukrainian and Polish governments – Tusk announced. He emphasized that such an agreement would, on the one hand, help Ukraine sell agricultural products and protect the interests of Polish farmers. – I attach great importance to this – he emphasized.