Poland is negotiating with Ukraine over the introduction of restrictions on Ukrainian food imports, but Kyiv delays the talks, Polish Deputy Agriculture Minister Michał Kołodziejczak says.
If it were up to me, I would impose restrictions on imports of sugar, frozen raspberries and apple concentrate to Poland as soon as possible.
Kołodziejczak also advocated the introduction of an 8% VAT minimum on Ukrainian food products in the EU, stating that he would work towards closing the border with Ukraine.
The move follows protests by Polish farmers. They blocked roads and protested at border checkpoints with Ukraine on Friday (9 February), marking a new wave of demonstrations against imports of agricultural products from the war-torn country.
Farmers in Poland argue that the opening of the European Union market to Ukrainian agricultural products has led to lower prices and caused unfair competition. Marcin Wilgos, a protest organiser at Dorohusk on the Ukrainian border, stated:
“We have no other choice. The glut of products from Ukraine, produced not in accordance with EU standards and procedures, is a huge burden for us.”
Polish Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski reported that Poland was holding bilateral talks with Ukraine to resolve the issue, but did not rule out new bans on other groups of goods.
It may be needed for sugar, if the influx is too large. It may be needed for poultry.
