It is necessary to give up the strict rules of the EU Green Deal, which limit agricultural production, Czesław Siekierski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said in the Sejm on Thursday. He also assured that the ministry’s priority is to regulate trade with Ukraine.
Presenting information about the government’s actions in connection with the farmers’ protest to the Sejm, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture cited the results of the trade exchange between Poland and Ukraine in 2023. This shows that in total trade Poland has a had a surplus of 6.9 euros. billion, while in trade in agricultural products “a deficit of 650 million euros was recorded to the detriment of Poland”.
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Siekierski emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is currently conducting bilateral talks with Ukraine, with the aim of developing an agreement that would replace the current grain embargo, but at the same time expand the scope of Ukraine’s protection. Polish market against excessive imports of sensitive goods such as eggs, frozen raspberries or oil. He also noted that he would present proposals for trade solutions next Monday in Brussels.
Minister Siekierski also said that the ministry considers farmers’ protests against the Green Deal policy justified.
The EC has gone too far. It is necessary to move away from the strict rules of the EU Green Deal, which limit agricultural production
– he said.
During his speech, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also assured that “there are no regulations that would limit the number of animals in Poland.” On the contrary – as he said – in Poland, animal production is a priority, and farmers will receive, among other things, subsidies for so-called animal welfare under the Common Agricultural Policy.
Siekierski also said this at the beginning of March this year. Direct payments to farmers will begin and there will also be additional funds, including: for corn producers, for disaster relief, agricultural fuel subsidies, fertilizers and insurance loans.
For several days now, numerous farmers’ protests have been taking place across Poland, including blocking roads, highways, highways and border crossings with Ukraine. Farmers will oppose the influx of Ukrainian goods, as well as European policies regarding the so-called Green deal.
The European Green Deal is a package of policy initiatives aimed at putting the EU on the path to ecological transformation and ultimately achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The package includes initiatives in closely related areas, for example climate, environment, energy, transport, industry and agriculture and sustainable finance.
Agreement with Ukraine
In the Polish-Ukrainian agreement, the reference period for importing goods from Ukraine cannot be 2022/2023; we want it to be at least 2021 – according to Wednesday’s statement from the Minister of Agriculture, Czesław Siekierski. He added that Poland wants to determine import quotas and licenses in this agreement.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, summarizing Thursday’s debate in the Sejm on the situation in agriculture, admitted that the inflow of goods from Ukraine to Poland is large, although it has been significantly reduced.
He announced tightened controls, which Siekierski said “will cause some restrictions because the queues will become longer, but we have to use this tool.”
The minister recalled that bilateral talks are being held at the technical level with the Ukrainian side.
We want licenses to be introduced and certain quotas to be introduced (import – PAP), on which we want to reach an agreement. We have a problem with the question of which reference period to use (PAP). We cannot agree with the reference period 2022/2023. We want the reference period to be 2021, and we may go further
– he said.
Siekierski stressed that the EU should support the transport of goods from Ukraine and also help export surplus grain from Europe to empty warehouses before the harvest.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture admitted that it would not be possible to ‘throw away’ the Green Deal.
We have to rationalize him because he has a point
– he added, noting that many of the treatments specified in the European Green Deal are carried out by farmers.
The Commission (European Commission – PAP) has gone too far, but many things are right and I think we will reach an agreement at European level
– he pointed.
The minister’s statement stated that the German Minister of Agriculture would come to Poland on March 1 and that our country would then be visited by the head of the French Ministry of Agriculture.
We will put more pressure together to achieve some normality
– Siekierski emphasized.
During Thursday’s parliamentary debate on the situation in agriculture, representatives of all parliamentary clubs supported the farmers’ protests. The MPs also pointed out the need to introduce restrictions on the inflow of Ukrainian food products into the Polish market.
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce