The Polish farmers’ trade union, Solidarity, has expressed dissatisfaction with two agricultural measures proposed by the EU on January 31. They have announced a general strike due to the perceived unacceptability of Brussels’ stance and the inactivity of the Polish authorities. The strike will include a blockade of border crossings between Poland and Ukraine, as well as road and highway blockades across the country starting on February 9.
Solidarity is demanding that the Polish government ensure the profitability of Polish agriculture and reconstruct the Polish agro-processing sector. They claim that these entities are not protected under the “European Green Deal,” which is aimed at combating climate change and environmental degradation.
Farmers across Europe, including Poland, have been protesting against EU measures to tackle climate change, rising costs, and unfair competition from abroad. In response to Solidarity’s announcement, the European Commission stated that it is evaluating possible next steps in relation to the concerns expressed by farmers in several member states.
The European Commission also proposed to allow EU farmers to derogate from certain agricultural rules for one year, as well as to renew the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year, capping the import of sensitive agricultural products from Ukraine. Copa and Cogeca, the EU’s farmers and agri-cooperatives organization, have expressed dissatisfaction with these proposals and have called for their strengthening by the EU’s legislative bodies.
Solidarity’s general strike and the European Commission’s proposed measures have drawn reactions from various stakeholders, setting the stage for negotiations and potential policy changes in the EU’s agricultural sector.