Polish Farmers Protest Imports of Ukrainian Agricultural Products and European Green Deal

In Poland, farmers are protesting against imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, which they say are reducing their own incomes, and against the European Green Deal. On Sunday, farmers protesting at the Dorohusk border crossing stopped three Ukrainian grain trucks from entering the country and spilled a small portion of the grain onto the road.

In response, the Ukrainian embassy in Poland demanded that the Polish police “investigate this shameful crime.” “Such methods of protesters should not be allowed in a civilized European country, not to mention the moral aspect of this provocation,” Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarich said. He added that he expected the perpetrators to be brought to justice and further prevention of such incidents.

Poland’s agriculture minister admitted to broadcaster TVP that the farmers’ actions were reprehensible and too emotional, but said he would not take action against the protesters. “Similar situations arise in farmers’ protests in many European countries. It often happens that farmers throw away food products,” he insisted.

The liberalization of trade rules with Ukraine within the framework of the so-called solidarity corridors, which the European Commission (EC) recently extended until 2025, has caused a large influx of several product groups into Poland from Ukraine. This, in turn, has caused a drop in prices and demand for local Polish products, which have been replaced on the Polish market by Ukrainian products of lower quality, as Ukrainian farmers do not have to comply with the high production standards of the European Union (EU).

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government supports farmers’ protests and maintains a unilateral embargo on Ukrainian grain. The government is also open to calls to extend the ban to other product groups.

2024-02-14 15:56:55
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