SPECULUM VERUM
– We stood firm. We stopped the flood of agricultural products, placing an embargo on them, to protect the Polish countryside and our economy. At the same time, we carry out transit and facilitate export – Mateusz Morawiecki said. Let's remind, that Poland concluded an agreement with the European Commission on the blockade of four grains from Ukraine to five EU countries. It was a response to excessive imports of Ukrainian products, which destabilized the market in Poland, caused by the removal of duty from them. The agreement was extended to 15 September.
On Wednesday, however, the prime minister announced, that Poland will not agree to reopen borders. – We are ready to work on a joint solution. The European Commission must adopt the perspective of the Polish farmer – spoke and emphasized, that “Polish economy is the most important for the government, and in particular agriculture”. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Robert Telus, informed in turn, that Poland together with Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary agreed on a common position, in which they demand an extension of the EU ban on grain imports from Ukraine, which has been in effect since April.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki emphasized, that in September the ban will be upheld, regardless of the decision of the European Commission. – I want to say clearly, here, from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Poland, we will not open this border – he said and assured, that the government will defend the Polish farmer against the consequences of the war in Ukraine. – We never leave farmers alone. We try to help through subsidies or programs supporting rural development. So it will be this time too. Therefore, we cannot accept fluctuations in the price markets, which are reinforced by the influx of excess grain. We will mitigate the effects of price jumps – announced Morawiecki.
The Prime Minister also promised, that the government will intervene again, if there are perturbations in other agricultural markets. If necessary, further bans will be introduced and further compensations will be paid, as was the case with cereal producers in March, April and May. The prime minister pointed out, that producers of soft and hard fruit and other farmers will be able to count on support, if further difficulties arise. – We never leave farmers alone, and that will be the case this time as well – the head of government assured.
Let's remind, that at the same time Poland and representatives of frontline countries declared in a joint declaration support in the transport of Ukrainian grain. Agriculture Minister Robert Telus pointed out, that the restriction introduced by the Union had a positive impact on the growth of Ukrainian exports. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture reminded, that the transit of wheat and corn from Ukraine through Poland has more than doubled in the last six months.