Poland: Poland’s government stated that it will temporarily prohibit grain and other food imports from Ukraine as it seeks to address the rising anger of Polish farmers, who say they are losing huge amounts of money to a glut of Ukrainian grain on the market.
The leader of Poland’s governing party Mr. Jarosław Kaczynski remarked that the Polish countryside is facing a “moment of crisis” and that while Poland supported Ukraine, it was forced to act to protect its farmers.
The government has decided on a regulation that prohibits the importation of grain, but also dozens of other types of food, to Poland,” Mr. Kaczyński told a party convention in eastern Poland.
According to the government, the ban on imports would last until June 30. The regulation also includes a prohibition on the import of sugar, eggs, meat, milk, and other dairy products, as well as fruits and vegetables. Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food commented that it “regrets the decision of its Polish counterparts”.
“Polish farmers are facing a difficult situation, but we emphasise that Ukrainian farmers are facing the most difficult situation”, the statement added.
The ministry proposed that the two countries come to a new agreement in the coming days that would satisfy both sides.
“The increasing imports of agricultural products from Ukraine cause serious disturbances in the markets of our countries, great damage to producers, and social unrest,” the Polish Agriculture Minister Mr. Robert Telus told his counterparts from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary.
“We cannot accept a situation where the entire burden of dealing with increased imports rests mainly with farmers from our countries,” Mr. Telus added.
The crisis in Poland is the result of Russia’s war against Ukraine. After Russia blocked traditional export sea passages, the European Union lifted duties on Ukrainian grain to facilitate its transport to Africa and the Middle East.
WORLD ROUNDUP: Taiwan’s DPP nominates William Lai as presidential candidate
