Dissatisfied with the European Commission’s decisions on Ukraine, Polish farmers have announced a new strike on the border with Ukraine.
The protesters plan to block all border crossings between Poland and Ukraine, as well as roads and highways across the country from February 9 to March 10.
Our patience has run out. The position of Brussels on the last day of January 2024 is unacceptable for our entire agrarian community.
The farmers call the decision to block the border a forced measure as they believe that the country’s authorities displayed “passivity” and that the declaration of co-operation with the European Commission, as well as the declaration of compliance with all EU decisions regarding imports of agricultural products and foodstuffs from Ukraine, did not produce the anticipated impact.
A series of strikes began on November 6 with a protest of Polish truckers at the Ukrainian border. The hauliers demanded the return of the permit system for Ukrainian carriers.
On January 31, the European Commission recommended extending the cancellation of import tariffs on agricultural goods from Ukraine for 2024 and proposed to introduce a “safeguard” for European farmers. However, the Commission’s suggestion disappointed protesters, and officials started preparing an “emergency suspension” of supplies of Ukrainian agricultural products to European markets.
