Polish Farmers Protest as EU Presidency Begins
The opening concert of Poland’s EU presidency in Warsaw, held at the Warsaw Opera on Friday night, was met with protests from Polish farmers. Unhappy with current agricultural policies and trade agreements, they used the high-profile event to voice their concerns. “We protested last year and we will protest this year,as absolutely nothing was improved,nothing was done,” stated one protester,Veslav. Farmers expressed anger over issues like below-cost sugar prices and the influx of cheap agricultural products from South America consequently of the Mercosur trade agreement. “They sell it (sugar) below the cost price. How is it possible to sell somthing below the cost price? Someone has to pay for it in the end and they shift the entire burden onto us, the growers,” said Stanislavs. Another protester, Tomasz, who travelled 400 kilometers for the demonstration, stated: “when signing the trade agreement with Mercosur, they exchanged German cars for cheap food from South America.” Protesters carried placards bearing the slogan “5X stop,” signifying their opposition to the Mercosur agreement, the European Green Course, Ukrainian agricultural imports, destruction of Polish forests and hunting areas, and problems within the Polish economy. Roberts Telus, a former Polish agriculture minister and current opposition member, criticized the absence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the presidency opening concert, suggesting she was avoiding the farmers’ anger. Von der Leyen had originally planned to visit Poland the following week, including a stop in Gdańsk to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the ”Solidarity” movement. However, due to a serious bout of pneumonia, she was forced to cancel all travel plans for the next two weeks, postponing her visit to Gdańsk. Antoniu Košta, President of the European Council, represented the EU leadership at the Warsaw event.He emphasized that security would be the priority of the Polish presidency, a theme that will also dominate the informal meeting of EU leaders in early February. The meeting, which will include British Prime minister Keir Starmer, will focus on strengthening and modernizing the European defense industry.## Polish Farmers Protest as EU Presidency Begins
**Interviewer:** Welcome to Archyde. Poland’s EU presidency began with a notable event – protests by farmers who were unhappy with EU agricultural policies and the trade agreement with Mercosur. Can you elaborate on their concerns?
**Alex Reed Expert:** Certainly. Polish farmers are concerned about the influx of cheap agricultural products, especially sugar, from South America due to the Mercosur trade deal. They argue that this drives down prices, making it difficult for them to compete and turn a profit. Some even allege that these imports are sold below cost, leading to unfair market conditions. The farmers are also frustrated by a lack of improvement in their situation despite raising these concerns previously.
**Interviewer:** Aside from the Mercosur agreement, what other issues are fueling the farmers’ discontent?
**Alex Reed Expert:** Farmers’ placards displayed a slogan, “5X stop,” indicating a multi-pronged anger. In addition to the Mercosur deal, they are aggressively opposing Ukrainian agricultural imports, voicing dissatisfaction with the European Green Deal, expressing concerns about the destruction of Polish forests and hunting areas, and citing broader issues within the Polish economy.
**Interviewer:** The absence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from the opening concert sparked speculation. What is your take on that?
**Alex Reed Expert:** some believe von der Leyen’s absence was a purposeful move to avoid the farmers’ protest. She did have a planned official visit to Poland lined up,which included attending a Solidarity movement anniversary in Gdańsk. However, due to a bout of pneumonia, she had to postpone the trip.
**interviewer:** This protest sheds light on a complex interplay between economic anxieties, international trade agreements, and agricultural policies within the EU. What are the potential ramifications for Poland’s EU presidency? Will this issue dominate the upcoming informal meeting of EU leaders?
**Alex Reed Expert:** Security is expected to be the primary focus of the Polish presidency, given the ongoing geopolitical tensions. Though, these protests highlight the tensions within the EU regarding agricultural policy. It’s likely these issues will be discussed during the informal meeting of EU leaders, although the focus on defense advancement led by Prime Minister Starmer may take precedence.
**Interviewer:** do you believe these protests represent a wider sentiment among European farmers,or are they specific to the Polish context?
**Alex Reed Expert:** This is a crucial question that deserves deeper examination. While these protests originated in Poland, similar concerns about agricultural policy and trade deals are echoed across various EU member states. It will be fascinating to see if this sparks a broader movement within the EU.
**What are your thoughts on the balance between open trade policies and protecting domestic agricultural sectors within the EU? Should farmers’ concerns be prioritized amidst geopolitical and economic anxieties? Share your insights in the comments below.**
## Polish Farmers Protest as EU Presidency Begins
**Interviewer:** Welcome to Archyde. Poland’s EU presidency began with a notable event – protests by farmers who were unhappy with EU agricultural policies and the trade agreement with Mercosur. Can you elaborate on their concerns?
**Alex Reed Expert:** Certainly. Polish farmers are deeply concerned about the influx of cheap agricultural products, notably sugar, from South America due to the Mercosur trade agreement. They argue that this influx drives down prices, making it increasingly arduous for Polish farmers to compete and earn a lasting living.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned sugar prices specifically. Can you explain why this is such a pressing issue for them?
**Alex Reed Expert:** Absolutely. Farmers claim that sugar is being sold below the cost of production from South America. This creates an unfair advantage for these imports and puts notable pressure on Polish sugar beet farmers. They feel the burden is shifted onto them, as consumers often opt for the cheaper imported sugar, leaving Polish farmers struggling to sell their produce at a fair price.
**Interviewer:** these concerns are not new. What steps have Polish farmers taken to voice their dissatisfaction?
**Alex Reed Expert:** Polish farmers have been actively protesting for over a year now, both in the streets and through their farmers’ unions.This latest protest during the opening ceremony of Poland’s EU presidency aimed to bring their concerns to the forefront and put pressure on the EU to address these issues. Their slogan “5X stop” highlights their opposition not only to the Mercosur agreement but also to other policies they perceive as harmful, including the European Green Course, Ukrainian agricultural imports, and the destruction of Polish forests.
**Interviewer:** The absence of European Commission President Ursula von der leyen at the event was also noted. What message might this send to the protesting farmers?
**Alex Reed Expert:** Some farmers and opposition groups see her absence as an attempt to avoid confronting the farmers’ anger and concerns directly. While Ms. von der Leyen’s absence was due to a health issue, this perception highlights the frustration felt by many farmers regarding the perceived lack of responsiveness to their concerns by EU leadership.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are the immediate prospects for resolving these issues?
**Alex Reed Expert:** It’s a complex situation. While the EU emphasizes the importance of trade agreements like Mercosur, it also faces mounting pressure to support its agricultural sector. Finding a balance and implementing effective solutions that address both market realities and the needs of European farmers will be crucial.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights on this critically important topic.We will continue to follow this story closely.
