We are talking with the Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture about such a trade exchange that would limit the inflow of goods that violate the stability of agri-food markets, Czesław Siekierski, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said on Monday, referring to the spilling of grain on the border with Ukraine. The situation is tense, he said.
On Monday, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development commented on the “incident” of grain spillage at the border with Ukraine. It happened on Sunday around 11:30 am on National Road No. 12 leading to the border crossing in Dorohusk, near the farmers’ protest site.
“‘The situation is tense’
According to preliminary police findings, the protest participants broke the customs seals of three trucks from Ukraine, partially spilling grain on the road. Estimates show that about a ton of grain was spilled from each truck.
I must admit that the situation is tense. Polish farmers spilled some of the grain from Ukrainian trucks. In my opinion, this is not the right form of protest, but it is often used by farmers in different countries. Farmers cannot control their emotions, but we must not forget that they are in a very difficult economic situation. At the start of spring field work, they have no money to buy fertilizers and crop protection products. It’s hard not to understand their desperation
– said the head of the Ministry of Agriculture in a comment.
He added that he is in favor of dialogue and direct conversations “as the best form to solve difficult problems.”
On behalf of the Polish farmers, I apologize for this act of desperation and ask for understanding for their exceptionally difficult situation. We are conducting technical discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture of Ukraine, in which we want to define the terms of trade exchange that would limit the inflow of goods that violate the stability of agri-food markets.
– Siekierski informed.
According to him, “representatives of the Ukrainian authorities also showed no restraint.”
The speech of the Minister of Economy, and previously the mayor of Lviv, was too harsh. Other Ukrainian politicians were also too emotional when providing information
– he pointed out.
I understand the opposition of the Ukrainian authorities to the difficulties in exporting agricultural products. I am also fully aware that trade goes both ways and that we also export to Ukraine
– said the Minister of Agriculture.
He noted that Polish farmers have helped Ukraine and still want to help.
However, they would like the Ukrainian budget to benefit from this aid and benefit the farmers, and not the oligarchs who have vast areas for growing grain and other forms of agricultural production. They are mainly behind these large imports, which undermine the stabilization of the agri-food markets in Europe
– emphasized the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.
He noted that the solutions to the problems “do not lie only in Polish-Ukrainian relations, because the European Commission is responsible for the organization and rules of trade in the common European market.”
Agnieszka Kępka, spokeswoman for the Public Prosecution Service in Lublin, informed PAP on Monday afternoon about the start of an investigation into the spilling of grain from Ukrainian trucks in front of the border crossing in Dorohusk. The procedure aims to destroy property and breach customs security, which can result in up to five years in prison.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs condemned the destruction of Ukrainian grain at the Polish border and called for those responsible to be held accountable. Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Wasyl Zwarycz also appealed to Polish authorities and police for a decisive response to this incident.
EC error
The EC made a mistake by opening the European market too much, liberalizing trade with Ukraine and giving too much access to Ukrainian food products to the European market – Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski told TVP Info on Monday.
The situation is exceptional: farmers are in a difficult situation and have no means to continue production
– Czesław Siekierski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said on TVP Info.
Farmers’ protests in the country continued on Monday, including against the introduction of the Green Deal and the influx of goods from Ukraine.
I will defend the farmers, I will defend their economic situation
– said the Minister of Agriculture.
They also protest on behalf of us, consumers. It is their duty to supply food, and to do this they must have access to cheap loans and protection of domestic and European markets, limiting the inflow of surplus goods. cheap goods from Ukraine, compared to which Polish goods are not competitive.
– added.
He added that from the beginning he has been in dialogue with the European Commission and the Minister of Agriculture of Ukraine on how to solve the problem of the inflow of Ukrainian goods.
The EC made a mistake by opening the European market too much, liberalizing trade with Ukraine and giving too much access to Ukrainian food products to the European market.
– said Siekierski.
He added that he is also proposing changes to the rules regarding the “Green Deal”, including the need for farmers to set aside 4%. farmland.
At the final stage there is the issue of excluding 4%. agricultural land in terms of fallow land. The idea is to abandon this or to realize this on positive terms for the farmers
– said the minister.
Furthermore, we propose further concessions that the European Commission should make
– added.
We can expect specific solutions from the Minister of Agriculture, and not just a description of the situation.
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce