2024 Polish farmers' protests
 | This section needs to be updated. (March 2024) |
| 2024 Polish farmers' protests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of 2024 European farmers' protests | |||
| Date | Early 2024 | ||
| Location |  Poland | ||
| Goals | End of grain imports from Ukraine, Regulation of EU policies | ||
| Methods |
| ||
| Status | Protests gradually Stopped | ||
| Parties | |||
The 2024 Polish farmer protests were a series of protests and road blockades which occurred in early 2024 when Rural Solidarity, the largest farmers' union in Poland, called a strike to protest against the European Green Deal and continued grain imports from Ukraine.[1]
Background
[edit]On 31 January 2024, the European Commission renewed the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian grain exports to the European Union until 2025 while reinforcing protection for sensitive EU agricultural products. This, as well as the restrictions that the European Green Deal would impose upon Polish farmers, led to Polish farmers, truckers, beekeepers, and foresters blocking 260 major roads across the country with their tractors. Nearly all the farmers' unions in the country backed the protests, as the "solidarity corridors" established by the EU to facilitate food exports from Ukraine amid the Russo-Ukrainian War led to much of the Ukrainian produce being stuck in the Polish market rather than transiting further. This caused a decline in the demand and prices for local Polish production, as Ukrainian grain, flour, poultry, eggs, sugar, milk, frozen soft fruit, and even apple juice saturated the Polish market. These Ukrainian goods were widely viewed as being of low-quality, as batches of raspberries were supposed to enter the country.[2]
Protest
[edit]
On 20 February, Polish farmers pried open two Ukrainian freight cars at the Medyka border crossing and spilled grain on the tracks. The Polish farmers also protested greenhouse emissions regulations and enhanced animal welfare laws brought about by the European Green Deal, and their protests received the sympathy of Slovak and Czech farmers, whose organizations urged joint action.[3]
On 21 February, Poland's foreign ministry denounced pro-Putin and anti-Ukrainian slogans at farmers' protests, saying that they were possibly influenced by Russia. This came as Estonian president Kaja Kallas revealed that her government had thwarted a Russian hybrid operation meant to foment civil unrest in the country. Some farmers' banners read "Putin, get Ukraine, Brussels and our government in order." The Polish foreign ministry expressed its belief that the banners were an attempt to take over the agricultural protest movement by "extreme and irresponsible groups, possibly under the influence of Russian agents".[4]
On 6 March, protesters clashed with police outside the lower house of Polish parliament in Warsaw.[5][6]
The European Union has conceded to some farmers' demands, agreeing to implement cap on tariff–free Ukrainian grain imports.[7]
Responding to protests by Polish farmers, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he would push for changes to the European Green Deal.[8]
On November the 23rd 2024 at 8 o'clock Polish farmers started to protest in Medyka, near the Ukrainian border to protest against the 2024 agricultural tax rate and the free trade deal the European Union is signing with South America.[9]
Only one truck every hour is allowed to pass from Poland whereas only humanitarian vehicles or military convoys are permitted travelling to Ukraine.[10]
See also
[edit]- Dutch farmers' protests
- 2023–2024 German farmers' protests
- 2024 French farmers' protests
- 2024 European farmers' protests
References
[edit]- ^ "Europe Polish farmers plan general strike, blockade of Ukraine border". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Angry Polish farmers protest against EU rules, Ukraine farm imports". Al jazeera. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Polish farmers block Ukraine's border in protest against grain imports". Al jazeera. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Polish farmers' protests "possibly influenced by Russian agents", says foreign ministry after pro-Putin banner". Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Polish Farmers Clash With Police Outside Parliament in Warsaw". Voice of America. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Starcia w Warszawie 6 marca. Rolnicy kontra policja. Gaz. Kamienie [video]". www.infor.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "EU agrees to cap tariff-free Ukraine farm imports". Al Jazeera. 2024-03-20.
- ^ "Tusk Says He'll Seek EU Green Deal Changes to Alleviate Farmers". Bloomberg. 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Polish farmers block Ukrainian border crossing". The Kyiv Independent. 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Polish farmers block border crossing with Ukraine in Mercosur trade protest, PAP reports". Reuters. 23 November 2024.
- 2024 labor disputes and strikes
- 2024 protests
- Protests in Poland
- History of agriculture in Poland
- 2024 controversies
- Grain and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- 2024 in international relations
- Poland–Russia relations
- Anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland
- Political controversies in Poland
- 2024 in Poland
- 2024 in Ukraine
- Agriculture in Ukraine
- 21st-century military history of Poland