– Farmers are protesting for a just cause, their arguments and demands are right – said Czesław Siekierski, answering a question from Agata Adamek from TVN24, who asked him if he were not the Minister of Agriculture, would he stand with farmers and protest? He blamed the government of Mateusz Morawiecki for the current very difficult situation in which farmers find themselves.
- – The PiS government and previous ministers are responsible for the bad situation in agriculture because they agreed to the European Green Deal, and Frans Timmermans, said Czesław Siekierski.
- Ursula von der Leyen does not allow any concessions in the liberalization of trade with Ukraine.
- Will there be national subsidies for farmers? – The government will make the decisions, said the Minister of Agriculture.
- Will VAT be introduced on agricultural goods from Ukraine? Analyzes are ongoing.
Farmers are on strike all over Poland, blocking roads and border crossings with Ukraine, expressing their concerns about the future of their farms. First of all, the profitability of grain production collapsed, for which farmers blame Ukraine and the European Union.
They want a complete blocking of the import of agricultural produce from Ukraine, as well as an immediate abandonment of the goals set out in the European Green Deal strategy by Brussels.
Siekierski talked and talked
Czesław Siekierski, the Minister of Agriculture who has been in office for two months, has also come under fire and, despite his openness to farmers, is blamed for his inaction.
He talked about what he was doing in the morning at 7.30 in the “One on One” program on TVN24. The interview with the minister was conducted by the above-mentioned Agata Adamek.
As of February 20 this year. farmers announced a starry march on the capital city. “What do you intend to do to prevent this from happening, what specific proposals do you have for farmers?” – the journalist asked.
– We are conducting dialogue and talks on various fronts – said the Minister of Agriculture. – We are in constant contact with farmers, taking their demands and what they want to convey very seriously – he added.
Siekierski emphasized that he was in talks with the European Commission and the government of Ukraine.
Don’t talk so much… specifics
“Stop talking so much, just put your proposals on the table,” Agata Adamek urges the minister, taking on the role of a farmer. – Don’t turn into a farmer – replied the minister, emphasizing that there are already significant derogations from the Commission regarding the Green Deal, this year the obligation to set fallow has been waived, and talks are continuing.
“What about Ukraine?” – the journalist did not give up. “Farmers say: completely close the border with Ukraine for two or three months, otherwise we won’t survive, is it possible?” – she asked.
– We are monitoring the situation – said the minister, adding that the matter is very complex, because it is not only about the inflow of agricultural produce to us from Ukraine, but also about their access to the entire European Union market. Siekierski emphasized that he is conducting bilateral talks with Ukraine regarding import quotas of agricultural goods from Ukraine to Poland, noting that Poland is a serious exporter of e.g. dairy products to the Ukrainian market. – We will finish setting import limits from Ukraine by the end of March – he emphasized.
The minister also said that Ursula von der Leyen strongly limits any actions that would disrupt trade with Ukraine.
Morawiecki paired with Timmermans
Siekierski strongly emphasized that Mateusz Morawiecki is responsible for the current situation of farmers, recalling that his government agreed to the European Green Deal.
He also informed that analyzes are underway to apply 8% VAT to agricultural goods imported from Ukraine. He himself did not express his opinion on this matter; the analysis of the possible introduction of such a tax is conducted by the Minister of Finance.
“Will there be national subsidies for farmers?” – Adamek asked. – This is the government’s decision, not only mine – replied the minister.
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