Polish example is contagious: Moldovan farmers threaten to block the border with Ukraine
23 December 2024 13:35
The Moldovan Association “Farmers’ Power” demands that the Moldovan government extend the restrictions on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, which expire on December 31, and threatens to close all checkpoints on the border with Ukraine if this requirement is not met. This was reported on the Association’s Facebook page, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to NewsMaker, the Ministry of Agriculture assured that they would approve the bill by the end of the month.
However, farmers do not trust the promises of government officials. The association’s press release notes that the draft law on the extension of import restrictions on grains and oilseeds was published only on December 18, and public consultations may continue until January 1. The Farmers’ Power Association and two other specialized associations, which have long asked for the restrictions to be extended, believe that the Moldovan authorities have decided to delay the process as much as possible.
At the same time, the Association emphasizes that 11 days before the expiration of the temporary restriction, the price of sunflower from local producers began to decline.
Farmers assure that they will not protest if the government extends the restrictions.
“But the problem is that farmers do not believe the government’s promises, because government officials have always postponed the fulfillment of promises,” Alexander Bedereu, head of the Association, told NewsMaker.
Agriculture Ministry spokeswoman Daniela Turkulets told NewsMaker that the restrictions will be extended until the end of the month.
“The draft will be approved by December 31 to ensure stability in the domestic market. We regret that false hypotheses are being spread in the public space. We urge farmers to follow the publications on official platforms,” said Daniela Turkulets.
As it is known, Moldova introduced licensing of agricultural imports on October 4, 2023. This decision was made by the National Commission for Emergency Situations. At the time, they stated that licensing would help stabilize grain prices, protect local producers, and establish stricter control over the quality of imported products.
What is known about the latest protests of Polish farmers
on November 23, farmers protested near the village of Medyka on the border with Ukraine. They blocked the road leading to the Shehyni checkpoint and did not allow trucks from Ukraine to pass. Later, the farmers decided to suspend their action until December 10, but promised that if the conditions were not met, they would extend the blockade to the entire eastern border.
The Poles protested for two reasons that had nothing to do with Ukraine. Farmers demanded that the level of agricultural tax in 2024 remain at the level of 2023 and expressed concern about the EU signing a free trade agreement with the South American countries of Mercosur.
What about the agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries?
On December 6, the European Union and the Mercosur economic bloc of South America concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement. France, the most vocal critic of the agreement in the EU, called it unacceptable. Poland also opposed it.
According to Reuters, European farmers have repeatedly protested against the EU-Mercosur agreement, which they believe will lead to cheap imports of South American goods, particularly beef, that do not meet EU environmental and food safety standards.
Conversely, a group of EU members, including Germany and Spain, say the deal is vital for the bloc as the EU seeks to diversify its trade after the near closure of the Russian market and discomfort over its dependence on China.
The trade deal will require the approval of 15 of the 27 EU members, representing 65% of the EU population, as well as the support of a simple majority in the European Parliament.
