Polish Farmers Announce Ukrainian Farmer Blockade
Polish farmers are planning a general strike next week that will include blocking border crossings with Ukraine, as well as intermittent road blockades across Poland. The Solidarity trade union made the announcement last Thursday, stating that their patience had run out due to what they considered to be an unacceptable position by Brussels. The EU summit held on January 31, 2024, was met with loud objections from farmers across the bloc.
The trade union expressed its frustration with the Polish authorities’ inaction and plans to cooperate with the European Commission regarding the import of agricultural products and food from Ukraine. As a result, they were left with no choice but to announce a general strike. Solidarity urged Polish citizens to support their struggle for the common good of the nation.
This action by Polish farmers is just one part of a larger wave of protests sweeping across Europe. Farmers in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and many other EU countries have been demonstrating against the bloc’s green climate policies, which have led to price hikes on fuel for agricultural producers. They have also expressed concerns about the influx of cheap Ukrainian imports flooding their domestic markets.
During the recent EU summit, farmers from across Europe converged in Brussels with over 1,300 tractors. They resorted to throwing eggs, rocks, and fireworks at the EU Parliament building and even set huge piles of manure on fire to voice their frustrations. The European Commission further fueled their outrage with its proposal to extend the suspension of customs duties on agricultural goods from Ukraine and Moldova until 2025.
Polish farmers had initially taken to the streets last year to protest against the influx of cheap Ukrainian imports, which had caused prices to plummet and put their livelihoods at risk. Polish truckers also joined the protests, arguing that they were being undercut by their Ukrainian counterparts. As a response, Poland, along with Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovakia, halted imports of Ukrainian grain in May.
These protests by farmers and truckers all across Europe have prompted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to hold a strategic dialogue with community and business leaders in Brussels. The aim of this dialogue was to find lasting solutions for European agriculture. However, critics have pointed out the lack of farmer representation at this meeting.
While the protests continue, farmers in Germany have been blocking city streets with their tractors, demanding that Chancellor Olaf Scholz reverse the proposed cancellation of a diesel fuel subsidy that could impact their incomes. The German government has cited environmental reasons for its decision, but farmers argue that their livelihoods are at stake.
Similar demonstrations have taken place in France, Romania, and Bulgaria, with farmers’ issues expected to play a significant role in the upcoming European Parliament elections. The French government, for instance, abandoned its plans to reduce subsidies on diesel for farmers after protesters used tractors and other agricultural machinery to block major highways.
In Romania, unions representing farmers and truckers decided to temporarily halt their country-wide protests in exchange for seats on a new committee dedicated to finding long-term solutions to their problems. The government has also introduced measures to address urgent needs, such as offering subsidies and grants to livestock farmers affected by rising energy and feed costs.
While farmers have seen some progress, truckers have mostly received symbolic concessions, such as the removal of fines for expired vignettes if there are significant delays at customs. Discussions are ongoing to find more comprehensive solutions, including the creation of dedicated lanes at the border and in the Port of Constanta.
As tensions rise and calls for action grow louder, it remains to be seen whether the farmers’ and truckers’ demands will be adequately addressed. The protests have showcased the deep divisions and concerns within the agriculture sector, and finding common ground will be crucial to ensuring the future of European agriculture.
