Problems related to farmers’ protests, excessive import of products from Ukraine, the requirements of the European Green Deal, the situation on the grain market and the unprofitability of agricultural production – these are the issues that the Ministry of Agriculture has been dealing with since December last year. – said Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski.
- During the conference summarizing 100 days of government, Siekierski noted that the new management of the ministry faced a difficult situation in agriculture – including: very low profitability of agricultural production.
- There were farmers’ protests.
- – From the very beginning, we adopted the formula that we talk to farmers and only through dialogue can we reach an agreement – said the minister.
He emphasized that there were many conversations, including: conducted at border crossings, but there were also meetings at the highest level – two with the participation of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
It is important that the Ministry of Agriculture has led to a “governmental” approach to farmers, because it is not the case that only the Minister of Agriculture is responsible for the situation on the border or the profitability of agricultural production, it is a joint responsibility of the government, he said.
The minister pointed out that grain prices are determined on world stock exchanges, and there are downward trends.
We know that Russia has had a hugely negative impact on the world market by introducing a lot of grain at very low prices; it had excess gas, it processed it into fertilizers – he explained.
Siekierski also talked about easing the conditions for implementing the Green Deal, which – as he noted – was possible thanks to the intervention of the Prime Minister. He added that the conditions for the liberalization of EU-Ukraine trade are being negotiated at the European Commission; Currently, the reference period is a controversial issue, he noted.
The minister informed that many bilateral talks were also held with Ukraine. – These were difficult talks (…) the Ukrainian side really wants to maintain the conditions of trade liberalization that were proposed by the European Commission, believing that it is important help for Ukraine – he emphasized.
