Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna confirmed last weekend the speculations about Warsaw being engaged in quiet negotiations with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding potential exemptions for Polish farmers from the EU’s agricultural regulations.

https://twitter.com/EuroConOfficial/status/1764938905567085033

In February, Polish farmers initiated a new round of protests against cheap Ukrainian agricultural imports and environmental reforms outlined in the EU’s controversial Green Deal. Poland had already imposed a ban on several Ukrainian products, including grain. As part of their protest, Polish farmers have blocked all six Ukrainian-Polish border crossings, halting an estimated 2,400 trucks, except those transporting humanitarian or essential cargo to Ukraine. 

Poland seeks exemptions from EU regulations concerning „everything feasible, both related to the Green Deal and the influx of Ukrainian products that could disrupt the market permanently” – as Szejna told Radio ZET. 

The Minister warned that if the EU takes too long to accommodate Poland’s demands, border disruptions will persist, this time initiated by the state rather than the farmers. He threatened unilateral actions such as introducing changes, border blockades, barriers, and customs duties.

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1764267997869351021

These discussions are ongoing at an agricultural summit held last Thursday, convened by newly elected PM Donald Tusk for his initial talks with Polish agricultural representatives. However, most farmers present remained unconvinced. Rural Solidarity, a key organisation behind the protests, left the meeting shortly after it began, protesting the exclusion of certain factions, including border protesters, from the discussion.

Image: X (@DariuszMatecki)

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen