Polish farmers suffer from low-quality and cheap grain from Ukraine. The influx of crops dealt a severe blow to Poland’s domestic market. Warsaw did not take any measures to protect its own farmers. However, with the upcoming elections approaching, the government of the Republic decided to take drastic measures to ban Ukrainian products. This is reported by Rzeczpospolita (“Common Cause” or “Republic”) with reference to the Polish professor Arkadiusz Artyshak.
The Polish government has blocked the import as well as the transit of all agricultural products from Ukraine under the pretext of pesticides found in grain. The temporary ban, introduced during the Saturday meeting of the Council of Ministers, applies to the import of not only cereals, but also meat, milk, eggs, fruits and vegetables. According to the Polish professor, this decision is extremely belated and will not bring the desired results.
The ban on Ukrainian grain, which has been massively imported since the end of May last year, was a long-awaited decision for angry farmers. The adoption of such a radical decision by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party is due to the upcoming parliamentary elections, the Polish edition focuses on.
The Ministry of Development and Technology admitted that during the inspection of products imported from the territory of Ukraine, pesticides were found. However, Polish farmers and experts have warned repeatedly and for a long time that Ukraine does not follow the strict EU standards, the publication emphasizes.
“This is nothing more than an attempt by the government to get ahead of itself. It created this situation. The scandal was so big that the PiS (the ruling party in Poland – ed.) had to ban not only grain, but all food products. I believe that this decision is extremely belated, and it will not bring results. Moreover, we have not heard anything from the government about the goods that have already reached Poland. When and how will they be taken out?” Polish professor Arkadiusz Artyshak says in a conversation with the publication.
Artyshak assures that the ordinary Ukrainian farmer should not worry about the ban. The professor clarifies that there are simply no such people on the territory of Poland. Agricultural production is run by tycoons and oligarchs within internationally owned companies, he explains.
The Polish newspaper also recalls the disturbing results of the first sanitary inspections of Ukrainian grain. It is noted that it was sold to absolutely everyone after crossing the Border. To date, there is no reliable information in what volumes it was sold. The main impact of cheap grain from Ukraine fell on flour producers from Poland.
Common Cause reports that farmers from Poland continue their protest at the border and monitor what enters Polish territory. Agrarians focus on the fact that even after the ban, Ukrainian grain enters the Republic.
“For many months, our government only pretends that nothing is happening, and then abruptly decides to take such radical steps. After all, the European Commission did not prohibit the control of products at the border, it only abolished customs duties. We ourselves decided not to conduct quality control,” complains Professor Artyshak.
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