Reporting

In Poland, the agricultural revolt against products from Ukraine continues

Polish farmers are angry at Ukrainian imports which are flooding the local market and driving down prices for Polish farmers. For several days, they have been blocking the roads to Ukraine.

Polish farmers, angry at EU policy and cheap imports of Ukrainian goods that they say are undermining their livelihoods, in Poznan on February 9, 2024. © Czarek Sokolowski / AP

By: Martin Chabal Follow

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From our correspondent in Warsaw

,

Farmers' nerves are on edge in

Poland

. They came from all over the country, and many to Dorohusk, to show that they are fed up. “

Fed up with Ukrainian wheat, fed up with Ukrainian sugar

,” as they wrote on signs.

Also read: How Ukraine exports its cereals since the end of the agreement with Russia

Marcin Wilgos, one of the organizers of this demonstration, arms in a sling, hat firmly on his head, took the time to explain the situation that Polish farmers are going through at the moment: “ 

It has now been a year and a half since we demonstrate. Today, we can consider this the culmination of our protests. Polish agriculture and the Polish economy are flooded with Ukrainian agricultural products, foodstuffs that are not subject to European standards, so it is cheaper to maintain and therefore it is sold cheaper

.”  

This situation has been going on since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago. When the Black Sea ports were blocked, it was necessary to find an exit route for Ukrainian goods which are generally sent to countries in Africa or the Middle East.

The European Union removed customs duties at the border and wheat, honey, eggs or even raspberries began to cross the border freely.

Read alsoThe EU extends the suspension of customs duties on Ukrainian imports

At the protest, many chanted: “

Close the border, close the border

 ,” which some said would be the best solution to loosen the bottleneck on Polish farmers. But that doesn't mean there is anti-Ukrainian sentiment in the ranks of these farmers. Marcin Wilgos recalled that aid to Ukraine was necessary to protect the rest of Europe. They do not say they are victims of aid to Ukraine either.

They are especially angry with Brussels and the Polish government, who, according to them, do not care about their fate.

And as in France or Germany, the

green pact, put in place by the European Union

, is the straw that breaks the camel's back. Tomek, one of them, parades next to a tractor which is transporting a coffin. He feels like he is suffocating between European standards and imports from Ukraine: “ 

If nothing changes, we farmers will all end up in these coffins. And right now, I don't see any hope. I have a son, but I wouldn't want him to be a farmer now.

It has become so

complicated that you can live from your work today and next year you won't even earn a single penny... it no longer makes any sense 

.

This is why Polish farmers continue to demonstrate and block border crossings.

Coffins to symbolize the death of Polish agriculture, in Poznan, Poland, Friday February 9, 2024. AP - Czarek Sokolowski

In Dorohursk, an endless line of trucks waits to cross into Ukraine. The sign that displays the waiting time promises the last person in line that they will be able to clear customs in 1,650 hours! That's 69 days to wait at the border. The anger of farmers is expected to attack the country's major cities in the coming days or weeks. Tomorrow they could even come to demonstrate in Warsaw and block the entire capital.

Also read: Dumping of Ukrainian grain at a Polish border post: Warsaw’s apology

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