In Warsaw, thousands of Polish farmers gathered outside the prime minister’s office on Wednesday, engaging in protests that included burning tires and throwing firecrackers. They were calling for an end to cheap imports and environmental regulations that they believe are negatively impacting their livelihoods.
Among the protesters was a group carrying a coffin with a sign that read “farmer, lived 20 years, killed by the Green Deal”. They filled the streets with noise, blowing horns and proudly displaying Polish flags, before planning to march towards parliament. In other parts of the country, roads were blocked and tractors on the outskirts of Warsaw were prevented from entering the city.
Farmers all across the European Union have been advocating for changes to the restrictions imposed on them by the EU’s Green Deal initiative aimed at addressing climate change. They are also calling for the reinstatement of customs duties on agricultural imports from Ukraine that were waived after Russia’s invasion.
This situation presents a challenge for the government of Donald Tusk, especially in a year where local and European elections are taking place. The government is trying to address the concerns of the farmers while also showing unwavering support for Kyiv.
Backed by Poland’s largest labor union NSZZ Solidarnosc, as well as hunters and forestry workers, the farmers returned to Warsaw as promised after a previous march through the city. The union’s leader, Piotr Duda, addressed the protesters in front of Tusk’s office, highlighting the unity among various industries in their demand for the end of the Green Deal.
Tusk has acknowledged the disruptions in the market caused by agricultural products not only from Ukraine, but also from Russia and Belarus. He announced plans for Poland to request the European Union to ban imports of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, demonstrating a firm stance on the issue.
The prime minister has extended an invitation to farmers’ leaders for discussions on Saturday, signaling a willingness to engage in dialogue to address their grievances. The protests underscore the growing dissatisfaction among farmers in Poland and other EU countries over the impact of environmental regulations and trade policies on their livelihoods.
As tensions continue to rise, it remains to be seen how the government will navigate the complexities of balancing the demands of farmers with broader political and economic considerations. The protests serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by policymakers in reconciling competing interests in the agricultural sector within the framework of the EU’s ambitious environmental goals.
With both local and European elections looming, the government’s response to the farmers’ grievances will likely influence public opinion and shape political dynamics in the months ahead. The ongoing protests highlight the deep-rooted concerns within the farming community and underscore the need for policymakers to find sustainable solutions that address both environmental imperatives and the livelihoods of farmers.
Overall, the situation reflects a broader struggle within the EU to strike a balance between environmental sustainability and economic viability in the agricultural sector, with implications for policy decisions and trade relations moving forward.
(Reporting by Karol Badohal, Pawel Florkiewicz, Kacper Pempel and Aleksandra Szmigiel; Writing by Alan Charlish and Karol Badohal; Editing by Alison Williams)
