The Green Deal has become the Agricultural Green Deal, which is largely consistent with farmers’ expectations – says Czesław Siekierski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Czesław Siekierski: “We now have the Farmers Green Deal.” But is this enough? Photo PTWP
- Farmers’ protests are still ongoing, although many of the assumptions of the Green Deal have already been changed.
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has been working on this matter for several months. What has already been done and what else will Poland fight for in the European Commission?
- We invite you to read the following text from the series, since March 2024 called “Olympia Wolf’s Conversations” (Previously: “Three questions to. Olimpia Wolf’s Conversations”). This is an original series of interviews regarding the broadly understood food market.
The excessive requirements of the Green Deal increase production costs
What has been achieved so far in terms of relaxing the provisions of the Green Deal?
Czesław Siekierski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in an interview with portalspozywczy.pl, explains that many unfavorable phenomena have contributed to the exceptionally difficult situation of farmers, including the decline in production profitability.
– Excessive requirements of the Green Deal increase production costs. This was one of the reasons for farmers’ protests not only in Poland, but also in Germany, France, Belgium and other European countries – says the Minister of Agriculture.
The Green Deal became the Agricultural Green Deal
– The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development took many actions. We talked with the European Commission and the ministers of agriculture of other European countries. In the final phase of our efforts, Prime Minister Donald Tusk joined in and convinced the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, of the need to relax the requirements of the Green Deal for farmers, says Czesław Siekierski.
– Hence, the obligation to fallow 4% of agricultural land was replaced by a voluntary scheme. The obligation to reduce the consumption of plant protection products has already been waived. Important facilities have also been introduced for farmers who no longer have to prepare certificates and photos. Instead, they can make statements, he explains.
– Rotation, i.e. the conditions for maintaining soil cover, has also been simplified. In addition, farmers with farms of up to 10 hectares will not be subject to sanctions if they do not meet the conditions of the Green Deal. Therefore, it can be said that this group of farmers has been exempted from the requirements of the Green Deal. To sum up, the Green Deal has become the Agricultural Green Deal, which is largely consistent with farmers’ expectations – he notes.
Czesław Siekierski also emphasizes that farmers comply with the requirements of production quality, the state of the environment and animal welfare.
– The European Commission imposed too many administrative requirements. Farmers really know how to cultivate the soil, how to take care of animals, and how to produce good quality raw materials and food, he explains.
We are in contact with farmers
One may wonder whether what has already been negotiated will be enough? Does the Agricultural Green Deal satisfy agricultural producers? Will further actions be taken to make agricultural production in Poland profitable for farmers?
– As a ministry, we are constantly in contact with farmers. Many of our arguments have been adopted by them. A good example is that 440 thousand farmers submitted applications for payments under area eco-schemes. We can therefore say that they have largely accepted the Agricultural Green Deal, although some of them still believe that the requirements of the Green Deal are still too stringent. This is also due to the fact that not all farmers know exactly the details of the new solutions. Therefore, the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Agricultural Advisory Centers, Agricultural Chambers and the media is to inform about new facilities for farmers – says the Minister of Agriculture.
Czesław Siekierski reminds that the Green Deal is an action plan for the environment and climate, and farmers are most affected by climate change.
– Therefore, we must reach farmers with information and show that the Agricultural Green Deal is in the interest of all of us – both farmers and consumers. Therefore, I believe that reliable information is necessary – sums up the Minister of Agriculture.
Prepared by based on a fragment of the conversation. We invite you to watch the entire conversation with Minister Czesław Siekierski.