Polish farmers, due to the inaction of the authorities in solving the problem of Ukrainian grain, have again taken to the streets, continuing their protests. Farmers are scrambling without hesitation – until the authorities take them seriously, the protests will not end.
The Polish farmers are serious – they will only retreat if the government’s decisions improve their situation. Farmers add that this is only the beginning. Upcoming protests will be bigger and more painful.
The direct reason for the protest was the announcement by the Minister of Agriculture on the intended support for grain producers involved in increased grain imports from Ukraine. In the opinion of trade union representatives, such assistance does not solve the problem.
“No additional support will solve the problem. We cannot become dependent on it. What will happen when the support runs out? The proposed solutions are unfair,” says Edward Kosmal, vice president of agricultural solidarity in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.
In addition, farmers are demanding an extension of support for producers of fodder grain, buckwheat and legumes, since they, too, suffer losses due to Ukrainian grain.
The Poles are also seeking to win lower fertilizer prices (as the gas prices have fallen, their production costs have decreased), and higher subsidies for agricultural fuel.