Due to farmers’ protests, Poland will demand changes to the Green Deal
26 February 2024 10:59
At the EU Council meeting on Monday, 26 February, Polish Minister of Agriculture Czeslaw Sekerski will demand that the requirements of the Green Deal be relaxed. This was reported by 
with reference to Euractiv.
In addition to Ukrainian products, Polish farmers are protesting against the application of the Green Deal. In particular, they do not like EU decisions related to the use of pesticides and the minimum share of arable land in unproductive areas or objects.
“I will demand to impose restrictions on the European Green Deal,”
– Sekerski said.
As for Ukrainian products, Poland will continue to demand from the EU “security mechanisms, certain guarantees against market distortion by such a large liberalisation”. Sekerski believes that the tension can be eased through negotiations, meaning that Poland is not going to give in on its position.
“We want these talks to start as soon as possible. They will allow us to talk not only about opening markets, but also about EU requirements for Ukrainian production,”
– the minister said.
EU agriculture ministers are due to meet in Brussels today to discuss the situation in the agricultural sector, including problems with Ukrainian exports.
Green Deal
TheEuropean Green Deal is a set of measures aimed at achieving climate neutrality in the EU by 2050. Among other things, it provides for a number of restrictions and requirements for European farmers to reduce their negative impact on the environment. In particular, the Farm to Fork strategy aims to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilisers, while the biodiversity policy provides for restrictions on arable land in the EU. Polish farmers argue that these requirements do not apply to the cultivation of Ukrainian agricultural products, so Ukrainian producers are in an advantageous position compared to them.
Border blockade
Problems at the border began on 6 November 2023, when Polish transport companies began blocking truck traffic at three major checkpoints on the Ukrainian border: “Korczowa-Krakowiec, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yagodyn. One of the requirements was to reinstate the permits for Ukrainian carriers that had been cancelled under the agreement with the EU by 30 June 2024.
On6 January, truck traffic to the Medyka-Shehyni border crossingin Poland resumed. Three other border crossing points were opened on 17 January, namely Dorohusk – Yagodyn, Hrebenne – Rava-Ruska, and Korczowa – Krakivets.
on 9 February 2024, Polish farmers began a new nationwide strike and blockade of the border with Ukraine, which will last until 10 March. It was initiated by the independent farmers’ trade union Solidarity. The main demand of the protesters is to cancel the preferential trade regime with Ukraine and to return the permit system for importing goods into Poland.
Meanwhile, Poland has already imposed an embargo on Ukrainian grain, Polish Deputy Agriculture Minister Michal Kolodziejczak said.
Polish Minister of Development and Technology Krzysztof Hetman, in turn, said that Poland could impose an embargo on all Ukrainian agricultural products.
Ukrainians responded by blocking the border for Polish trucks.
