Officials overseeing border controls outlined the latest status of agricultural imports from Ukraine during a crisis staff briefing, as announced by the Ministry of Agriculture. The ministry’s new head, Robert Telus, is set to visit the Polish–Ukrainian border on Friday, where he will meet Ukraine’s agriculture minister to discuss current procedures and potential adjustments in the handling of imported goods.
Crisis team meeting
The crisis response session, led by the recently appointed Minister Telus, brought together senior ministry managers and deputy ministers, including Rafał Romanowski, Anna Gembicka, Ryszard Bartosik, and Krzysztof Ciecióra. The gathering reflected a coordinated effort across several government departments to assess and respond to supply chain pressures on agricultural imports. Senior officials from related ministries and agencies participated as well, ensuring cross-sector collaboration on border controls and sanitary standards.
During the meeting, ministry directors and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Development and Technology, the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate, the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, the State Plant Health and Seed Inspection, the Agricultural and Food Trade Inspectorate, the Border Guard, the State Treasury, Customs and Treasury, the National Agricultural Support Center, and Elewarr were in attendance. The objective was to align on verification processes, quality controls, and the overarching regulatory framework that governs the entry of agricultural products into Poland and the European Union.
Officials emphasized that both rail and road transport routes are subject to strict checks to prevent any goods that fail to meet quality standards from entering the country. Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements for imported products is highlighted as essential for protecting food safety and supporting export readiness for Polish producers. The ministry underscored the importance of maintaining high safety and quality thresholds as part of sustaining consumer trust and market access across EU markets.
Telus reiterated the goal of maintaining rigorous import controls while also addressing strategic needs such as inventory management and market stability. He noted that effective border procedures help safeguard public health and support the competitiveness of domestic farmers and exporters. The minister also mentioned the ongoing plan to manage storage capacity and ensure that any surplus grain is redirected toward viable markets ahead of the harvest season.
In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively seeking new markets to absorb grain surpluses and diversify export opportunities. Officials stressed the potential to liquefy or otherwise monetize surplus grain in the period leading up to harvest, as part of a broader strategy to uphold supply security and price stability for farmers and consumers alike.
Telus goes to the border
Robert Telus announced an on-site visit to the border with Ukraine on Friday, accompanied by Deputy Minister Rafał Romanowski, to observe the border operations firsthand and to discuss possible measures with Ukrainian counterparts. The trip aims to gain direct insight into the practical challenges faced by exporters and to review proposed mechanisms for the export of agricultural products from Ukraine.
During the visit, Telus plans to meet with Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister, Mykola Solski, to exchange perspectives on export arrangements and to consider policy proposals from Kyiv regarding the movement of agricultural goods. The minister also signaled a commitment to ongoing engagement with Ukrainian authorities and to regular, representative-level discussions that address both immediate and longer-term supply chain considerations.
Telus announced that crisis team meetings would continue on a regular basis, at least once or twice weekly, to monitor developments, review data on import quality, and coordinate responses as needed. These ongoing sessions are designed to ensure continuity in decision-making and responsiveness to changes in market conditions, regulatory requirements, and international cooperation on agricultural trade.