Last Wednesday, February 14, the first meeting of the Animal Production Committee operating within the Greater Poland Chamber of Agriculture was held. It mainly discussed the difficult situation of pig producers.
As we read in the WIR press release, the main topic of the meeting was the restrictions related to the fight against ASF, and in particular the prolonged operation of the red zone in the Szamotuły district.
– There has never been an ASF outbreak in this district, and there are not many wild boars. The zone was imposed as a result of outbreaks in neighboring counties. The few farmers who remain in pig production are suffering because of it. The Wielkopolska Chamber of Agriculture has repeatedly requested greater flexibility in imposing zones in terms of their area and duration. The Animal Production Committee decided to send another letter to the Chief Veterinary Officer on this matter – we read in the Chamber’s announcement.
Payment of compensation in the red zone
While discussing the problem described above, the issue of compensation for farmers who, through no fault of their own, found themselves in red zones and who suffer the financial consequences of such a situation was also raised.
This possibility, and even necessity, was indicated by the European Commission itself in response to the WIR intervention regarding zones already in 2022. A system of such compensation should be part of the pig herd reconstruction program in Poland. Such a program is prepared by a team operating at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, but the previous government, before the end of its term, approved its part giving farmers the opportunity to obtain financial resources from subsidies and preferential loans – we read.
In the opinion of the Team, this action is highly insufficient and it was decided to re-send WIR’s comments to this program, which would include supplementing it with guaranteed compensation for the imposition of the ASF zone and continuing subsidies for piglets for, for example, 5 years, which would make it possible to become independent from the import of weaners. from the west and created a certain perspective for the actual reconstruction of the population.
The Commission also paid attention to improving the genetics of piglets produced in Poland. If we are to compete with countries such as Denmark or the Netherlands, the genetic level of animals must be similar in terms of the number of piglets in a litter or the efficiency of feed use during fattening. WIR will also apply for a different taxation of contract fattening, which, in our opinion, is not an agricultural activity undertaken by the farmer on his own.
Compensation for bird flu outbreaks and beef promotion
The Commission will also raise the issue of compensation for poultry farms that have to stop production as a result of an outbreak of bird flu detected nearby. An intervention letter will also be prepared in this case.
Members of the Commission also discussed issues related to improving the quality and promotion of Polish beef on the domestic and foreign markets. This is a production direction that is developing in Poland and should be supported. Attention was paid here to better use of financial resources from existing promotion funds. Team members noticed that these funds are not always used rationally.
To sum up, as a result of the Team’s work, the following presentations will be prepared:
- regarding the ASF red zone in the Szamotuły district, with attention to greater flexibility in terms of time and area of zones imposed
- regarding comments on the pig herd reconstruction program, with particular attention to compensation for red zones, taxation of input fattening, improvement of genetics and permanent subsidies for piglets
- on compensation for poultry producers who had to temporarily stop production as a result of an outbreak of bird flu in their area
- on the development of the beef production sector.
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