In a remarks on Polish Radio, a senior government official outlined the country’s strategy should the European Commission fail to prolong the embargo on Ukrainian grain. The minister stressed that Poland would move to implement a national ban to shield farmers, ensuring their interests are protected regardless of EU decisions.
The interview with Polish Radio’s Program One touched on the possibility of extending the EU embargo, which is set to expire on Friday. The minister was asked whether Poland would unilaterally enact a national import ban if the bloc declines to renew the measure.
Yes, the minister replied. He noted that the Council of Ministers had already adopted a resolution stating the intent to introduce a national import ban in the absence of an EU-wide extension. He mentioned a draft regulation that could be signed later on Friday if necessary.
Farmers, he added, could rest easy. The government would safeguard their interests and ensure the ban would be put in place when EU action falls short.
Agriculture and European affairs officials described the government’s position as having “very strong arguments at many levels” and emphasized that no EU decision had been made yet. The government remained optimistic that a path would be found, whether through an EU extension or a national measure.
Two months vs. longer-term planning
During a separate conversation on RMF FM, Agriculture Minister Robert Telus echoed cautious optimism. He affirmed that no decision had yet been reached on extending the EU embargo, and that transportation regulations for Ukrainian grain would need future clarification. The minister suggested that if the embargo were not extended, Poland would extend it domestically and pursue longer-term instruments to regulate the situation in Europe’s favor.
Telus also argued for a longer-term approach to the embargo, stressing the need to coordinate Europe-wide responses and to prevent a return to the status quo. He argued that grain from Ukraine should be directed to regions with real shortages, such as parts of Africa, where the need remains acute. This perspective aimed to balance European market stability with humanitarian throughput where it is most needed.
In Telus’s view, the aim was to stabilize cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union while safeguarding European farmers from abrupt market shocks. He suggested that Ukrainian products continue to flow to places that require them, but under a framework that reduces unnecessary disruption for European markets.
Background on the embargo and regional responses
The initial embargo on the import of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflowers from Ukraine to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia emerged from a political accord among those nations and the European Commission in early May. The ban was first set for June, later extended to September, with transit through frontline areas allowed.
On Tuesday, Poland’s Council of Ministers urged the European Commission to extend the import ban beyond September 15. The resolution warned that Poland would proceed with a national ban if such an extension did not occur. Ukraine, for its part, has signaled opposition to the extension and indicated it would seek recourse at the World Trade Organization if Poland blocks Ukrainian exports unilaterally. In Bulgaria, legislators agreed to lift the embargo after September 15, signaling a divergence in national responses within the bloc.
As discussions continue, observers note that the situation calls for coherent, long-term instruments to manage agricultural trade flows and regional needs. The overarching aim is to prevent market distortions in Europe while ensuring food security for regions in dire need.
Further commentary has highlighted that the broader European debate centers on how to balance safeguarding farmers with maintaining a free and fair internal market. Stakeholders emphasize the importance of predictable rules and a robust mechanism for adjusting policies as conditions change across the EU and its neighbors.
In summary, Poland signals readiness to act independently if necessary, while seeking an EU-wide consensus. The situation remains dynamic, with government officials stressing that both EU-level decisions and national measures will be employed to protect European agricultural interests and to manage grain flows to where they are most needed.
— attributed summaries and statements reflect ongoing policy considerations and are provided for context and public record.