Discussion on the Green Deal and its impact on farmers and the wider economy
In a Wednesday broadcast of the Polish television program In the Center of Events, agricultural market analyst Karol Olszanowski offered a detailed explanation of the protests led by farmers and what aspects are commonly misunderstood in these nationwide demonstrations. The discussion shed light on the core concerns driving the protests and placed them within the broader context of European Union policy, energy costs, and trade dynamics.
During the interview, the guest on Jakub Maciejewski’s program outlined a set of positions that farmers have voiced against the Green Deal, noting that the disagreements extend beyond farm gates to affect all sectors and consumers across member states. The Green Deal aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy efficiency, including measures like the thermal modernization of buildings and a shift away from combustion-powered vehicles by 2035. These changes are coupled with new forms of taxation aimed at pricing carbon emissions, including cross-border adjustments that are intended to level the playing field for European producers but are perceived by some as adding hidden costs throughout the supply chain.
The Green Deal and everyday costs
The analyst argued that the policy package will influence not only farmers but every resident of the European Union. He emphasized that the cost of compliance and the higher prices for goods produced with lower carbon footprints will ripple through the economy, affecting households and businesses alike. When products are sourced from outside the bloc, officials indicate these goods often come with higher perceived carbon intensity, and those costs are usually passed along to consumers. This dynamic, according to Olszanowski, is a direct consequence of how high-emission products are treated within the current framework.
Olszanowski stressed that the issue is not merely about agriculture, but about how the EU balances climate policy with competitiveness. He described a complex interplay between policy goals, trade patterns, and fiscal instruments that are designed to incentivize greener practices while also dealing with the economic realities of a wide and diverse union.
The discussion also touched on Ukrainian agricultural exports moving across Polish borders. The guest noted that the ownership and financial arrangements behind these goods often involve large corporate entities, some registered in other EU member states. He highlighted that ownership structures and tax regimes in countries like Luxembourg, Cyprus, and the Netherlands can obscure where profits are generated, even as trade flows shift across borders. One example cited involved a major Ukrainian agroholding company with a footprint that rivals small states in land area, illustrating the scale of certain players in the global agricultural market.
EU policy, Poland, and the farming community
The program examined specific policy actions observed by Poland and how some exporters from Ukraine have responded. In June 2022, the EU suspended certain agreements with Ukraine, granting broader access to European markets that had previously been governed by a structured association framework. In response to domestic concerns, a sector-specific embargo was introduced in Poland in April 2023 and later extended in September of that year. Other neighboring countries, including Hungary and Slovakia, implemented similar measures at different times. These moves illustrate how regional disruptions can interact with broader climate and trade policies to shape the conditions under which farmers operate.
Olszanowski underscored the importance of lawful and practical transit for agricultural products. He explained that Poland continues to permit movement of goods through its territory and that the Ukrainian side should not be accused of blocking trade when ongoing routes exist. The conversation then turned to the larger question of how unfair trade practices are addressed at national and European levels. Farmers are not opposed to Ukraine as a nation; rather, they are challenging trade arrangements that they believe undermine fair competition. Regulation and negotiation at the bilateral, and the Brussels-Kiev level, are seen as potential tools to address disparities while maintaining access to markets on both sides of the border.
The discussion invited viewers to consider the broader implications of these tensions for supply chains, prices, and rural livelihoods across North America as well. While the focus was on Polish and European policy, the core themes—trade fairness, climate policy costs, and the distribution of fiscal burdens—resonate with policymakers and farmers in North America who face similar challenges as they balance environmental goals with economic viability.
To watch the full program and gain a complete understanding of the arguments presented, viewers were directed to the event center where the discussion took place.
Source material covered in the program reflected perspectives from a range of experts and stakeholders involved in agricultural policy and trade considerations within Europe.