Polish Farmers Stage Protests Over Ukrainian Imports
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Polish farmers took to the streets on Friday, blocking roads and staging protests at border checkpoints with Ukraine, in a new wave of demonstrations against farming imports from the neighboring war-torn country.
Poland, a staunch supporter of Ukraine during war against Russia, has seen economic tensions strain ties between the allies, according to EURACTIV.
Farmers in Poland argue that the opening of the European Union’s market to Ukrainian agricultural products has led to decreased prices and unfair competition.
On Friday, farmers initiated protests at border crossings and blocked highways, causing traffic disruptions with slow-moving columns of tractors converging on major cities.
“We have no other choice,” said Marcin Wilgos, organizer of the protest in Dorohusk at the border with Ukraine, speaking next to a banner urging the EU to impose bans on Ukrainian grain and sugar.
“The glut of products from Ukraine, produced not in accordance with EU standards and procedures, is a huge burden for us,” Wilgos, a 40-year-old farmer, explained.
The protests are coordinated in at least 250 locations by Poland’s main farming union, which stated it would continue until 10 March.
Polish Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekierski acknowledged the farmers' concerns, stating on state radio that they have “legitimate expectations and demands” to limit excessive imports from Ukraine.
Despite a new pro-EU coalition taking power in an October election, Poland has maintained its ban on Ukrainian grain imports, initially imposed under the previous right-wing government.
Siekierski mentioned that Poland was engaged in bilateral talks with Ukraine to address the issue, but did not rule out new bans on other product categories.
“It may be needed for sugar, if the influx is too large. It may be needed for poultry,” Siekierski said, emphasizing the government's intention to raise these concerns in talks with Kyiv.
