Polish Farmers Warn of Potential Blockade at All Border Crossings with Ukraine
Polish farmers are urging the government to roll back an increase in agricultural taxes and abandon a proposed agreement with South American countries. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Protests are poised to resume unless Warsaw reverses its decision on an agricultural tax increase and a proposed agreement with South American countries.
Polish farmers have indicated their intention to restart their blockade of the Ukrainian border next month unless the government in Warsaw reevaluates its approach toward the flood of inexpensive produce from Ukraine and the EU’s environmental policies.
Activists blocked the crucial border crossing at Medyka-Shehyni from Friday until late Sunday and have given the government until December 10 to respond to their demands.
The Polish Press Agency reported on Monday that Roman Kondrow, the head of a regional farmers’ association, stated: “we will write down all our demands and present them to the agriculture minister. Should the minister disregard our concerns and merely present promises, we will once again block the road and demand talks with Prime Minister Donald Tusk.”
Reportedly, around 30 individuals participated in the blockade late last week, allowing just one truck per hour to cross the border, although exceptions were made for buses, humanitarian aid, and military cargo.
The farmers expressed their frustration over the government's failure to keep its commitment to maintain the agriculture tax at the 2023 level and criticized several newly introduced regulations.
Additionally, the farmers condemned the EU's plans to establish a free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc of South American nations, expressing concerns that this deal could lead to an influx of cheap produce that would negatively impact Polish farmers.
Ukrainian authorities responded to last week’s blockade by criticizing Polish farmers for “using the border as a tool to influence their government.” Some commentators in Ukraine suggested that Russia might be backing the protesters.
Earlier this year, in March, tens of thousands of Polish agricultural workers staged simultaneous blockades in several hundred locations across the country, including areas near the capital, Warsaw.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
Polish farmers have indicated their intention to restart their blockade of the Ukrainian border next month unless the government in Warsaw reevaluates its approach toward the flood of inexpensive produce from Ukraine and the EU’s environmental policies.
Activists blocked the crucial border crossing at Medyka-Shehyni from Friday until late Sunday and have given the government until December 10 to respond to their demands.
The Polish Press Agency reported on Monday that Roman Kondrow, the head of a regional farmers’ association, stated: “we will write down all our demands and present them to the agriculture minister. Should the minister disregard our concerns and merely present promises, we will once again block the road and demand talks with Prime Minister Donald Tusk.”
Reportedly, around 30 individuals participated in the blockade late last week, allowing just one truck per hour to cross the border, although exceptions were made for buses, humanitarian aid, and military cargo.
The farmers expressed their frustration over the government's failure to keep its commitment to maintain the agriculture tax at the 2023 level and criticized several newly introduced regulations.
Additionally, the farmers condemned the EU's plans to establish a free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc of South American nations, expressing concerns that this deal could lead to an influx of cheap produce that would negatively impact Polish farmers.
Ukrainian authorities responded to last week’s blockade by criticizing Polish farmers for “using the border as a tool to influence their government.” Some commentators in Ukraine suggested that Russia might be backing the protesters.
Earlier this year, in March, tens of thousands of Polish agricultural workers staged simultaneous blockades in several hundred locations across the country, including areas near the capital, Warsaw.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
