The complete closure of the border may lead to the suspension of the export of Polish goods to Ukraine and, as a result, lead to the elimination of many jobs in Poland. Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Czeslaw Siekierski emphasized this in his letter to the protesting farmers on the eve of their announced complete blocking of the border with Ukraine.
“Regulation of agricultural product trade with Ukraine remains a key priority for the Ministry of Agriculture,” the minister assured and invited representatives of the protesters to a joint conversation.
Simultaneously, he reminded that the ban on importing grain, rapeseed and sunflower seeds from Ukraine into Poland, along with certain processed products like wheat flour, meal, bran and cake, remained in effect.
Siekierski noted that the ministry led by him wanted to “develop a bilateral agreement with Ukraine that would expand the scope of market protection to include other sensitive products, such as sugar, poultry, eggs, soft fruits, honey, apple juice, oils”.
Furthermore, he added that plans were underway to initiate aid payments to Polish corn producers and compensation for farmers affected by the drought at the onset of March 2023. Additionally, the reinstatement of preferential agricultural credit provisions is imperative.
“The Polish government wants to solve problems together with farmers and invites them to negotiations. I would like the result of our joint work to be an agreement on solving current problems and developing a program for the future,” the minister summed up. (APK-Inform/Business World Magazine)
