Last Monday, the first meeting of representatives of the newly established National Pork Council with the authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture.
On the government side, the meeting was attended by Minister Czesław Siekierski, secretaries of state: Jacek Czerniak and Michał Kołodziejczak, and director of the Department of Food and Veterinary Medicine Monika Wilińska, as well as other representatives of the ministry.
The National Pork Council was represented by, among others, Janusz Terka (NSZZ Solidarność RI), Aleksander Dargiewicz (Polpig), Bartosz Czarniak (Polsus), Damian Kacprzak and Bogusław Prałat (PZNPŚ), Witold Choiński (Zwiazek Polskie Mięso), Natalia Włodarska (UPEMI) and Maciej Perzyna (SGGW).
Postulates of the National Pork Council
As we read in the Council’s announcement, the first meeting with the new authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture served primarily to invite cooperation and officially present the solutions proposed by the industry. The implementation of the KRW goals depends on many legislative changes, without which there can be no saving the Polish pork sector.
“Representatives of the KRW, aware of the conditions necessary for the success of the strategy, asked the Minister to establish a permanent KRW/MRiRW team for the development of pigs. Without delegating authorized and competent people to work on it from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, who will be involved and able to cooperate with the social side – the beneficiary of the changes, lifting the pig sector out of the collapse will be very difficult, if not impossible. The National Pork Council is fully aware that some solutions depend on other ministries, and not on exclusive cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. In the opinion of the National Pork Council, it is necessary for the ministerial and social team to have the opportunity and at the same time the obligation to cooperate closely and effectively with the ministries of Climate and Environment as well as Development and Technology, which are key to achieving all the goals assumed by the National Pork Council. – we read.
The Ministry assures its willingness to cooperate
Minister Czesław Siekierski confirmed and assured the meeting participants that rebuilding the pig population is also his goal. Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak pointed out that the decline in domestic production and reliance on imports of meat and animals may become the proverbial nail in the coffin for the industry and a threat to food security. He supported the need for phased cooperation on many levels that will secure Poland’s self-sufficiency in pork production. Minister Kołodziejczak drew attention to production safety, which should be based on the introduction of long-term contracts between plants and pig producers.
The decision on the subject and principles of cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Broadcasting Council will be made within the next week in order to start work on preparing the reconstruction strategy for the pig sector in Poland as soon as possible. Currently, the ministry has established a team for rebuilding the pig population, coordinated by director Monika Wilińska. It is worth noting that the ministerial side has not yet made a clear declaration regarding support for work on the reconstruction of the pig industry with the social side.
What is the National Pork Council?
The National Pork Council was established as a social organization whose grassroots initiatives are intended to lead to a profound reform of the Polish pig industry. The first step is to develop a strategy that will take into account, among others, the following issues: rebuilding domestic piglet production, limiting the import of both animals and pork, and achieving Poland’s self-sufficiency in the production of pork. The great determination of representatives of the industry, which is currently in a very difficult situation, has led to the definition of the most important goals and necessary actions that will enable the preparation and, above all, implementation of an effective multi-year strategy for the pork sector. According to KRW representatives, the key areas requiring urgent intervention include: abolition of legal barriers, fight against ASF, assumptions and guidelines for investments and financial support, health protection and welfare of pig herds, climate and environmental protection, trade links and sales markets, as well as quality food and public health.
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