He pointed out that agricultural proteststaking place in various European countries, make EU officials aware that food insecurity may be a real problem.
On Thursday, Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski took part in a debate on the future of Polish fruit farming during the 32nd Sandomierz Fruit Growing Meetings.
When asked what should be done to improve the profitability of fruit production, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture pointed to three factors: blocking the uncontrolled inflow of raw materials and agricultural products from outside Poland, taking actions to reduce costs and looking for new sales markets.
“Not everything satisfies us”
The minister also referred to the proposal of the European Commission, which on Wednesday proposed extending the suspension of import duties and quotas on imports from Ukraine to the EU for another year and a temporary derogation from the provisions of the Common Agricultural Policy for EU farmers until 2024. The Commission’s proposal to liberalize trade with Ukraine also includes a “protective mechanism” in the event of significant disruptions on EU markets.
“Many of our comments have been implemented, but we are not fully satisfied,” he noted.
We need to expand our references
According to Minister Siekierski, it is necessary, among other things, to: extension of the reference period from which limits on imported products would be calculated. According to the initial proposal for the most sensitive products – poultry, eggs and sugar, the average import is to be maintained at the level of 2022 and 2023.
“We want the reference period to be extended. We will continue to talk,” he added, emphasizing that at the same time, Poland would continue to conduct bilateral talks with Ukraine.
The minister pointed out that farmers’ protests helped conduct negotiations with the European Commission, and the problem with incoming agricultural products from Ukraine made “the European Commission wake up.” “But we don’t know yet whether it will be finished,” he noted.
Unreasonable green rations?
He pointed out that the situation is difficult not only in Poland, but also, among others, in France and Germany. Therefore – as he emphasized – it is necessary to take care of the interests of European producers, especially since Green Deal it involves “many irrational choices that cost farmers too much.”
“All these requirements do not apply in Ukraine, Brazil Whether Argentina where we also import products from,” he said.
However, “everyone is slowly realizing that food security may be at risk,” and the pandemic has shown that despite globalization, “it is not the case that everything can be bought, not everything can be sold, sometimes something may simply not arrive.” (PAP)
Author: Wiktor Dziarmaga
