Poland scrutinizes Ukrainian border cargo amid calls for transparency and farm concerns

A Polish official, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Michal Kolodziejczak, announced on social media that he traveled to the Ukrainian border to observe railway cargo as part of an on-site assessment. He described his location as Dorohusk and explained that his purpose was to scrutinize what goods were moving across the frontier into Poland, reporting that he aimed to verify the nature and origin of shipments in the most recent days. Kolodziejczak noted that he encountered obstacles, stating that there was resistance to sharing certain information. He indicated that attempts to access the documents related to the last two trains arriving from Ukraine were met with reluctance from those responsible for the cargo. He pledged to remain near the border area until the requested documentation could be produced, emphasizing that local farmers had raised concerns about grain allegedly originating from Ukraine and entering the country. According to officials, the border incident prompted a broader discussion about transparency and border controls, with the deputy minister underscoring the need for clear records to verify imports and protect domestic markets. The episode has added to ongoing tensions around agricultural trade policies between Poland and Ukraine, as authorities reassess the flow of farm products and the practices surrounding cross-border shipments in the wake of recent regulatory changes and market pressures. In related context, Poland previously faced measures regarding Ukrainian raspberries amid mold concerns, highlighting the broader vigilance over imported agricultural goods and the requirement for reliable quality verification across borders. These developments are part of a continuous dialogue among policymakers, farmers, and customs agencies as they navigate complex trade dynamics and supply chain responsibilities in the region, with many observers calling for consistent documentation and transparent reporting to ensure fair competition and food safety. [Source attribution: Reuters]