Siekierski after talks with protesting farmers: we are negotiating a bilateral agreement between Poland and Ukraine on agricultural goods

“A bilateral agreement between Poland and Ukraine on agricultural goods is being negotiated, Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski said. He expressed hope that by the end of March it would be possible to determine the quotas for individual goods that could be sent from Ukraine to Poland.

Today in Wrocław there was a very large agricultural protest in the city center. Discussions between government representatives and representatives of the protester communities continued throughout the day.

READ MORE Wrocław is paralyzed! Peasants’ protest in front of the European Parliament and offices. The building was pelted with eggs. “Close the Border”

After today’s meeting with farmers’ representatives, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture announced in a conversation with journalists that the Polish side, in addition to negotiating EU solutions regarding Community-Ukraine relations, will sign a bilateral agreement with wants to reach Ukraine.

Negotiations with Kiev

We are negotiating a bilateral agreement with Ukraine to establish certain rules determining the quantities of quotas for individual goods that could affect the Polish market, so as not to disrupt the stabilization of individual markets.

– said Siekierski.

When asked when the Polish-Ukrainian negotiations could end, the minister replied that “we are in the final stages on a technical level” and that the size of the quota should be determined by the end of March.

We are aware that an excessive influx of goods will disrupt some markets. There are certain emergency brakes that we want to introduce so that Ukraine can export

– added.

Siekierski assured that discussions are also underway at European level about Ukraine and the import of agricultural goods.

Trade liberalization is not taking place to the extent that the EU proposes. The EU has made some concessions. This document will continue to be the subject of the work of the European Parliament and the Council of Agriculture Ministers

– added.

Green Deal and manufacturing profitability

During the meeting with farmers, one of the topics was the EU Green Deal. Siekierski admitted that farmers have a very different “accuracy” in assessing these solutions.

They say: close the Green Deal. We say: change the Green Deal so that it meets the needs and opportunities of farmers

– he pointed.

The minister emphasized that he agrees with farmers in many respects, but that at the same time ‘closing’ the Green Deal will not be possible.

The third topic that emerged during the debate was the issue of the profitability of agricultural production. Siekierski announced that subsidies for farmers will start in March, including: on corn, drought relief, agricultural fuel subsidies. He added that he also wants to finalize talks on possible support for grain producers and fertilizer subsidies. The minister pointed out that the situation is “doubtful” on this second aspect, because it is not known what the prices of fertilizers will be, which have also fallen in recent months.

One of the farmers’ demands is a return to last year’s agricultural fuel subsidy amounts. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said discussions on this topic were ongoing with the Ministry of Finance.

Farmers’ demands

Farmer representatives at the meeting primarily demanded closing the border with Ukraine and withdrawing from the EU Green Deal. They announced that if their demands were not met, they would intensify the protests. They also demanded the presence of Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the meeting.

Siekierski and the ministry’s management appealed to the farmers to demand everything they could. Stefan Krajewski, deputy head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said at the meeting that “the borders will probably not be closed, but they should be tight and controlled.” He also appealed to farmers conducting ‘citizen inspections’ of shipments to call the appropriate services. He also asked them to “protest sensibly” and not to escalate. Referring to the Green Deal, Krajewski emphasized that it cannot be thrown away, but he pointed out that illogical solutions must be removed.

The minister also asked the farmers to collect their demands and submit them to the ministry so that they can be placed before the Prime Minister during the government meeting next week.

Last week, farmers across Poland protested against, among other things, the introduction of the Green Deal and the influx of goods from Ukraine, because agricultural production has become unprofitable. A national protest will also take place on February 20. Similar farmers’ protests are also taking place in other EU member states.

Reception of the ruling coalition

Politicians from the ruling coalition commented on the agricultural protests and demands.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Michał Kołodziejczak assured in round words that Prime Minister Tusk is treating this issue as a priority.

Prime Minister Tusk gave the green light to vigorously defend our interests. I know this is a priority for the Prime Minister

– he said for Interia.

We are doing our part, we have a specific plan when it comes to protecting borders and improving the situation of agriculture. We inherited a very difficult situation from PiS, we have to undo it now, but we will do it. We just need some time

– added.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, PSL MP Mirosław Maliszewski, also spoke, stating that the most important thing is to protect the EU market from the consequences of imports from Ukraine.

Farmers demanded compensation for losses and they are being implemented, for example compensation for corn losses. But above all, farmers demand strategic measures that protect the EU market from the consequences of imports from Ukraine, and no compensation once the consequences of imports start to take their toll.

– he said.

The People’s Party politician also commented on the change in Brussels’ hitherto uncompromising trade approach with Ukraine.

I see a major change in the position of the European Commission. I have signals that what Minister Siekierski said at the EU forum, namely the need to limit the import of agricultural products from Ukraine, is no longer received with understanding but with acceptance by many other Ministers of Agriculture.

– reveals PSL MP Mirosław Maliszewski in an interview with Interia.

Everyone in the EU is aware that the farmers’ protests and the upcoming European Parliament elections are a terrible combination

– Maliszewski emphasized.

READ ALSO:

– Janusz Wojciechowski: Farmers are protesting because they are in a very difficult situation. I also wanted to thank you for this protest

– The Ukrainian ambassador argues: Polish farmers have no reason to escalate their protest at the border. Is the?

pn/PAP/Interia.pl