“Farmers should know that the government is addressing their concerns and solving their problems. Not all demands can be dealt with immediately. The abolition of the Fit for 55 is not up to the Polish government, as it is a European arrangement”, said Stefan Krajewski, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

On Wednesday, 6 March, farmers will come to Warsaw for the second time to protest before the Sejm and the Prime Minister’s Office. The farmers oppose the influx of grain commodities from Ukraine as well as from Russia and Belarus. Their demands also include a reform of the European Green Deal. Trade unionists from the Solidarity Trade Union, hunters and even beekeepers have also announced their support for the farmers and participation in the protests. The organisers expect that more than 100,000 protesters could gather in Warsaw.

“There would probably be a problem with throwing the Green Deal in the bin, but there is a climate for some irrational provisions to be thrown out. Provisions that farmers cannot meet and are opposed across Europe. It would probably be problematic to close the border with Ukraine. On the other hand, it is possible to seal it so that substandard products do not enter Poland. This needs to be watched, our services are working. Goods that are spoiled or do not meet standards are withdrawn abroad”, said Stefan Krajewski. 

He also noted that farmers have made a great many demands. As late as 2023, they demanded subsidies for maize, money for liquidity loans and for tax equalisation. Two points are already met and the third will be met. Solutions are being prepared.

Deputy Minister Krajewski said that the government is looking for opportunities to export the surplus grain (9 million tonnes) out of Poland. “We are in talks with the European Commission and the Ukrainian side”, he said, adding that he hoped to work out a compromise that would serve Poland and farmers. 

Adrian Andrzejewski