Polish Minister of Agriculture believes that the blockade of checkpoints can be lifted only after fulfillment of requirements

Legislative decisions are needed to prepare decisions on unblocking checkpoints on the Polish-Ukrainian border, Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekerski said. According to him, he spoke with protesters at the border.

“We are waiting for the European Commission’s agreement on corn subsidies. We want to preserve preferential loans. We also want local authorities to be able to exempt farmers from the agricultural tax increase without losing their own money,” the minister said.

He added that Poland is eager to help Ukraine, but in his opinion, rules related to quotas and transition periods are needed. The negotiations should involve not only Poland and Ukraine, but also the European Commission, Czeslaw Sekerski emphasized.

“We must maintain the blockade until we agree on the terms of its replacement. I think it would be a good solution to introduce licensing of transport, using transit routes outside of Poland,” the head of the Ministry of Agriculture said.

Polish carriers began blockading the Korchova-Krakivets, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yahodyn checkpoints on November 6.

On December 24, the Medyka checkpoint was unblocked, but negotiations with farmers continue.

According to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the country is close to lifting the border blockade.

Tags: corn, subsidies, Poland, protests