On Saturday, Polish farmers stopped traffic at the Medyka border crossing into Ukraine as part of a renewed pushback against the government’s agricultural policy and the ongoing negotiations over the EU-Mercosur pact. The action drew attention to rural households’ worries about tax rules, subsidies, and market protections that farmers say have shifted in favor of larger agribusinesses and foreign competition. Observers reported long queues of stalled trucks stretching toward the border while rows of tractors and allied supporters formed a visible line of protest. The demonstrators described their move as a bid for economic stability in farming regions where price swings, rising input costs, and delayed payments endanger livelihoods. Coverage of the day suggested many farmers believed decisions made in Warsaw and Brussels should do more to secure rural incomes as trade talks continued, underscoring the frustration felt by rural communities — reports.
Protests at Medyka spotlight rural concerns over tax rules and fair market protection as EU-Mercosur negotiations continue, pressing for stronger safeguards for farmers nationwide. Protests at Medyka highlight the lengthening queues of trucks and the earnest presence of tractors that together signaled a united stance among agricultural communities. The corridor was designed to block cargo traffic from entering Polish territory while allowing a single truck to depart toward Ukraine roughly every hour. The arrangement aimed to minimize humanitarian disruption and keep essential trade moving, though it did not extend to passenger cars, military vehicles, or humanitarian convoys. The action underscored farmers’ insistence that the EU-Mercosur agreement include safeguards to ensure fair competition, since many Polish producers say they cannot compete on level terms without such protections. Border officials described traffic moving in waves, with a steady security presence intended to prevent clashes and balance security with the practical needs of cross-border commerce — reports.
Critics of the government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, argued that the administration has not delivered on promises regarding tax relief and policies meant to support farmers. The demonstrators expressed international solidarity with farmers in other countries who share concerns about the EU-Mercosur deal, pointing to a broader debate about how trade agreements intersect with rural livelihoods and environmental standards. They warned that, without adequate safeguards, the agreement could impact farm incomes and local processing industries. The protests also signaled a willingness to sustain pressure and potentially expand the coalition if negotiations proceed in ways perceived as unfavorable to Polish agriculture. Analysts view these actions as part of a wider skepticism toward large-scale trade deals among rural constituencies and note they could influence future policy choices within Poland and the EU — reports.