In a recent development at the Polish-Ukrainian border, tensions have escalated as Polish farmers voice their concerns over the import of Ukrainian agricultural products and the impact of the EU’s Green Deal. On February 20, protests took a dramatic turn as some farmers dumped Ukrainian grain and displayed anti-Ukrainian slogans, sparking outrage in Ukraine.
Polish Agriculture Deputy Minister Michal Kolodziejczak stated that if negotiations with Ukraine fail, Poland may consider additional restrictions on Ukrainian food products. The Polish Agriculture Minister, Czeslaw Siekierski, is set to hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykola Solskyi, on February 21 to discuss exports and explore the possibility of reaching an agreement.
“The ball is in Ukraine’s court,” Kolodziejczak emphasized, pointing out that failure in the talks could lead to further restrictions on Ukrainian goods. The ongoing dispute originated last year when Poland’s conservative Law and Justice government imposed an embargo on Ukrainian grain and other products, citing unfair competition. Despite changing governments, the embargo remains in place.
Polish farmers argue that the influx of Ukrainian imports creates an uneven playing field, a claim Ukraine vehemently denies. Kolodziejczak revealed that talks with protesting farmers are scheduled for the coming week, acknowledging the challenges Polish farmers face due to Ukrainian exports to other EU countries.
Notably, the protests have disrupted the German market for Poland, prompting concerns about the potential extension of the border blockade until April. Roman Kondrow, the leader of the protesting Polish farmers’ organization, hinted at intensifying the protests, including the possibility of blocking bus passages.
The resurgence of farmer protests also reflects broader discontent in several European countries, including Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, France, Italy, Belgium, and Greece. Farmers across the continent are expressing their opposition to the EU Green Deal and the inflow of cheaper agricultural products.
As tensions rise at the Polish-Ukrainian border, the outcome of the upcoming talks and the decisions made by both governments will play a crucial role in determining the future of agricultural trade relations between Poland and Ukraine.
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