European organizations of arable farmers, grain sellers, and poultry traders affiliated with the EU agricultural coalition Copa-Cosega have supported Wojciechowski’s renewed call in an urgent letter to Brussels.
Wojciechowski insists that the new decree, which comes into effect on June 5, should include restrictions on the import of sugar and poultry meat from Ukraine. According to him, the import of poultry and sugar from Ukraine has increased significantly recently, posing a threat to competitiveness in the EU market and to Polish sugar and poultry production.
In contrast, European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis wants to ease the current restrictions. He advocates for the complete removal of the temporary embargo that was imposed last year on Ukrainian imports at the request of Poland and four other neighboring EU countries. This position is also supported by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The new Polish Minister of Agriculture, Czesław Siekierski, also believes that new European agreements on Ukrainian imports are necessary.
Furthermore, European Transport Commissioner Adina Valean has now also become involved in the conflict over Polish blockades at several border crossings to Ukraine. Although angry Polish farmers have since lifted some border blockades, it is now mainly Polish truck drivers who only sporadically allow Ukrainian trucks to pass.
Previously, these drivers were not allowed to take on jobs in EU countries and had to return 'empty'. After the lifting of EU restrictions, they are now allowed, which Polish drivers view as new competition.
The Ukrainian government says that road transport of agricultural products is becoming less important because in recent months the shipping route over the Black Sea can increasingly be used again. After successfully sinking several Russian naval ships in ports in Crimea, the Russian military threat in the western part of the Black Sea has further diminished. According to Ukrainian media, exports by sea are already at three-quarters of their pre-war level.