Compromise reached in farmers protest on Polish-Ukrainian border
A compromise has been reached with the Polish farmers protesting alongside lorry drivers on the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing in Medyka during talks with the agriculture minister, PiS spokesperson has said.
On Tuesday, the newly sworn-in minister for agriculture, Anna Gembicka, went to the Ukrainian border to talk with the farmers from the organisation 'Deceived Countryside', who have recently joined the protest of the lorry drivers.
Together with the hauliers they have been blocking the border, only letting through two lorries every hour, while cars, coaches and vehicles carrying humanitarian aid or military equipment were allowed to pass unhindered.
In a conversation with the private broadcaster RMF24, Rafal Bochenek, the spokesperson for the outgoing ruling party Law and Justice (PiS), said that a partial agreement has been reached between minister Gembicka and the protesting farmers.
"Some form of a compromise has been agreed upon regarding various types of solutions and support for agricultural producers, such as working capital loans or various types of cereal subsidies," Bochenek said.
Gembicka agreed to most of the farmers’ demands. She proposed, among other things, a subsidy of PLN 1,000 per hectare of maize, and an increase of PLN 2.5 billion in the liquidity loan pool. She also said that she would work with the Ministry of the Interior and Administration to keep the 2024 agricultural tax at this year's level.
However, later that day the protest organiser, Roman Kondrow, told PAP that the farmers will continue the blockade until actual changes are made by the government.
He said that promises from a member of a cabinet which has not yet received a vote of confidence, are not certain.
"We are happy that this meeting took place. We are now looking forward to its results," he said.
Kondrow reported that he had also been contacted by an MP of the opposition’s agrarian Polish People’s party, Stefan Krajewski, who is being seen by the media as a serious candidate for the agriculture minister in the government of Donald Tusk, which is likely to be established in mid-December.
"Mr Krajewski said that he is ready to come and talk to us," Kondrow said. "We know the situation we are in, it may turn out that one government will promise something, but the next one will implement it."
In the October 15 general elections the most seats went to PiS, but a parliamentary majority was won by the three opposing groupings, who struck a coalition deal.
The new government was formed by Law and Justice’s Mateusz Morawiecki, as appointed by the president, but it is not likely to be accepted by the parliament.
That is why in the coming weeks a completely new government may emerge under the lead of the head of the main party of the coalition, the Civic Platform’s Donald Tusk.
"Minister Gembicka talked to the farmers, now it’s time for a conversation with the hauliers," Bochenek said and added that Alvin Gajadhur, the minister for infrastructure, is planning to go to the border on Wednesday.
The drivers, who started their protest on November 6, and have been also blocking the Korczowa and Dorohusk crossings, are demanding the introduction of commercial permits for Ukrainian companies carrying goods, and also want a suspension of operating permits for Ukrainian firms set up after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
The protests have led to delays of around 100 hours for trucks trying to get into Ukraine, and caused a rift in Polish-Ukrainian relations. (PAP)
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