At a conference in Warsaw, Polish livestock and meat processing companies decided to declare June 6 “World Meat Day”. They hope that this annual day will be internationally recognized and will create a positive image of meat consumption.
Representatives of the Polish industry and the government stressed that such a day is meant to underline the importance of meat consumption in everyday life. Poland has a large exporting poultry industry, which is under pressure from EU animal welfare rules.
Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski spoke at the congress about the very dynamic development of the Polish poultry and beef sector. He referred to the production of poultry meat, of which more than 50% is exported.
“The situation in the pig sector is more difficult, where we now only have around 8.5 million animals, but we are doing everything we can to change that,” he said, referring to the consequences of African swine fever, which has been prevalent in the vast Polish countryside for years.
During the meat congress in Warsaw, Polish organisations pointed to the increasing regulation of the EU and the consequences of changing consumer preferences. Agriculture Minister Siekierski indicated that the Polish EU presidency offers an opportunity to put such issues on the agenda in Brussels.
In recent years, the previous Polish national-conservative PiS government attempted to tighten animal welfare rules, but abandoned the move after widespread farmer protests. Since last year, a civil-liberal coalition led by former EU commissioner Tusk has been in power in Warsaw.
Siekierski indicated that his ministry will continue to support livestock farming. In view of Poland's upcoming EU presidency in the first half of 2025, he called the strategic importance of the agricultural sector evident.
Siekierski said he would again advocate dismantling Green Deal agreements as they relate to agriculture and food. He also wants to boost export promotion and curb the impact of agri-imports.