Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski told a group of correspondents in Brussels that he plans to present information about his work at the European Commission to PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński in the coming days. Wojciechowski also sees no reason for his dismissal.
The Commissioner said he felt he was carrying out his mandate properly and that there was a lack of information about his activities in Poland.
Most of what I do is simply little known in Poland. I need to communicate more forcefully. I don’t see any negligence on my part. I wonder what else I could do in the agricultural field and honestly I don’t see anything like that right now. To accept responsibility for this would be to admit that no mistakes were made. I have to stay calm
– he said.
Speaking about his work at the European Commission, he said that at his request there will be restrictions on imports of sugar, poultry and eggs into the EU as part of the trade liberalization deal with Ukraine, and that he was the one who requested exceptions in the regulations on tillage (the idea is that farmers no longer have to set aside 4 percent of agricultural land).
The commissioner also said he was critical of the EC’s project to halve pesticide use in the EU by 2030. Ultimately, the EC withdrew from this project.
On Saturday, Wojciechowski spoke remotely with Brussels correspondents from the Polish Press Agency, Polish Radio and RMF.
Words from the PiS president about Wojciechowski
EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski must end his mission; I will ask him about it today, but I have no influence on whether he is a commissioner or not, said PiS President Jarosław Kaczyński.
Journalists in the Sejm asked the PiS president if he was satisfied with Wojciechowski’s work.
I think the Commissioner, and I will call him today because I have no other choice, has asked for it – he must complete his mission
– said Kaczynski.
But – I just don’t know whether he will finish it – because I have no influence on whether he is a commissioner or not. This is solely his decision, but due to these very unfortunate statements, he must end his mission. This will only shorten the term by a few months, as the next commissioner will be elected by the current majority
– added the PiS president.
The PiS president also emphasized that “the European Union has gone crazy”.
The desire to destroy agriculture – because I don’t believe that people in such high positions do not understand this – is dictated by ideological madness or by certain interests.
– he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated in the Sejm on Friday that the farmers’ protests across Europe are a very serious matter.
There is a man in Europe who united all European and Polish peasants against the reform he himself proposed. This is Janusz Wojciechowski. Resign
– said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Farmers from across Poland announced a protest on Friday, which is expected to last 30 days. It will include, among other things: in the blockade of border crossings with Ukraine. The decision on the protest action was taken, among others, by the board of directors of NSZZ Solidarność Rolników Indywidualnych. The reason for the protest includes: the European Commission’s recent decision to extend duty-free trade with Ukraine until 2025.
Protesting farmers are also opposing the introduction of the EU Green Deal and the influx of goods from Ukraine. Farmers are also protesting some of the solutions included in the Green Deal, including: in Romania, France and Belgium.
tkwl/PAP
READ ALSO:
— PiS President: Commissioner Wojciechowski must complete his mission. I’ll ask him about it. This is solely his decision
– Will Wojciechowski resign? The Commissioner speaks: I take the PiS president’s opinion very seriously, but I will not act under pressure
Source: wPolityce