Poland holds informal talks with the EU on agricultural markets
4 March 2024 09:38
Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Shejna has admitted that the Polish government is holding informal talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The aim of the talks is to exempt Poland from some of the requirements imposed on EU countries by the Green Deal. This was reported by Kommersant Ukrainian 
with reference to Wiadomosci Onet.
The publication asked the official whether Poland was really talking to von der Leyen about the Green Deal.
“Yes, this is exactly what is happening. …everything that is possible, both the Green Deal and the influx of products that can cause permanent disruptions in the market of one or most countries,”
– said the Deputy Minister.
Otherwise, the Poles threaten to switch on the maximum mode of blocking Ukrainian goods.
“If we manage to agree on Poland’s requirements in the EU, as we successfully agreed on EU funding, they will become a common position of the European Union. I would also like to say, quoting Prime Minister Tusk, that if this drags on, we will introduce changes, border blockades, barriers and customs duties unilaterally,”
– sheina said.
He is confident that on 28 March, when the next Ukrainian-Polish consultations will take place, “the issue of the border problem will no longer exist”.
The 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.
