A few days earlier, Deputy Agriculture Minister Janusz Kowalski spoke on Radio WNET, suggesting that he expected EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski to press for a swift European Commission response to Poland’s request to shield the Polish market from Ukrainian grain. In response, PiS MEP Zbigniew Kuźmiuk weighed in, offering his perspective on the matter.
Kuźmiuk warned that Kowalski may not fully grasp how EU institutions operate. He explained that even if Commissioner Wojciechowski were to take a symbolic action, it would not alone alter the Commission’s decision. He noted that the decision involves 27 commissioners and, more importantly, the Council of the European Union, which consists of ministers from each member state. For a course of action to be adopted, a majority is required, and it is not certain Poland can secure that level of backing. In Kuźmiuk’s view, the mechanism cannot be bypassed by appeals to a single official, no matter how urgent the situation appears to be.
– Zbigniew Kuźmiuk, commenting on the radio program
Kowalski’s remarks also drew attention to Commissioner Wojciechowski’s public stance. Kowalski criticized Wojciechowski in an interview with Wirtualna Polska, arguing that the commissioner has shown limited initiative and insufficient visible results in managing agricultural market tensions. The concern is that the agricultural sector could face a worsening crisis if proactive measures are not implemented in a timely manner. Kowalski asserted that Wojciechowski’s perceived inaction is inconsistent with the urgency felt by farmers and those who depend on agricultural markets for their livelihoods.
In this ongoing discourse, Kowalski contends that the image of a leader who has not demonstrated tangible outcomes may undermine confidence among farmers and sector stakeholders. The accusation centers on a perceived gap between rhetoric and concrete policy actions, and it raises questions about how quickly and effectively EU mechanisms can respond to rapid market fluctuations in the agricultural sector. The broader concern is about the alignment between national priorities and EU-level responses, especially in a context where market pressures are influenced by cross-border trade dynamics.
The conversation reflects the persistent tension between national interests and the supranational decision-making framework that governs EU agricultural policy. It also highlights the importance of clear, timely communication from EU officials to member states and to the farming communities affected by policy decisions. As debates continue, observers are watching how the interplay between the European Commission, the Council, and national ministers will shape any forthcoming measures intended to stabilize markets and protect domestic producers while maintaining the integrity of the European single market.