In the Polish-Ukrainian agreement, the reference period for the import of goods from Ukraine cannot be 2022/2023; we want it to be at least 2021 – according to Wednesday’s statement by the Minister of Agriculture, Czesław Siekierski. He added that in this agreement, Poland wants to determine import quotas and licensing.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, summarizing Thursday’s debate in the Sejm on the situation in agriculture, admitted that the inflow of goods from Ukraine to Poland is large, although it has been significantly reduced.
There will be more checks at the border
He announced strengthened controls, which – according to Siekierski – will cause “some restrictions because the queues will get longer, but we have to use this instrument.”
The minister reminded that bilateral talks are being held with the Ukrainian side at the technical level.
What reference period should be used? Talks with Ukraine are still ongoing
– We want there to be licensing and the introduction of certain (import) quotas that we want to agree on. We have a problem which reference period (to adopt). We cannot agree to the 2022/2023 reference period. We want the reference period to be 2021, and maybe we will go further, he said.
Siekierski emphasized that the EU must support the transport of goods from Ukraine and also help export surplus grain from Europe to empty warehouses before the harvest.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture admitted that it would not be possible to “throw away” the Green Deal.
– We need to rationalize him, because he is right – he added, pointing out that many of the measures specified in the European Green Deal are carried out by farmers. – The EC has gone too far, but many things are right and I think we will reach an agreement at the European level – he pointed out.
The minister’s statement indicated that the German Minister of Agriculture would come to Poland on March 1, and then our country would be visited by the head of the French Ministry of Agriculture.
We will put increased pressure together to bring about some normality, Siekierski emphasized.
During Thursday’s parliamentary debate on the situation in agriculture, representatives of all parliamentary clubs supported the farmers’ protests. The MPs also pointed out the need to introduce restrictions on the inflow of Ukrainian food goods to the Polish market.
