Polish farmers’ protests against Ukrainian grain are a “bluff”, said Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka.
The Polish government’s decision to ban the import of Ukrainian agricultural products cost Kyiv $143 million last month. This was stated by Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka at the Brussels Economic Forum, Bloomberg wrote.
According to Kachka, the European Commission will pay Polish farmers “compensation for nothing” because the protest is “a lie on the part of Polish farmers.” The Deputy Minister noted that the Ukrainian side suffered losses from Warsaw’s unilateral decision in the amount of $143 million.
“Ukraine received $143 million in damages. This is more than the European Commission will pay Polish farmers in compensation. In fact, this is a bluff on the part of Polish farmers. And, unfortunately, the Polish government reacted differently,” Kachka said.
In April, Poland and several other eastern EU members imposed restrictions on Ukrainian food exports, citing falling market prices that were hurting their farmers. The move drew criticism from the European Commission.
Kachka noted that the new decision of Brussels improves the situation, but does not solve the problem.
“Thanks to the intervention of the European Commission, we are getting some easing of the situation, but the situation is not resolved,” he said.
Recall that earlier Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria introduced a temporary ban on the import of grain and other types of agricultural products from Ukraine. Poland even stopped the transfer of such products to its territory, but it resumed from April 21.
The European Commission has proposed an aid package for farmers from countries bordering Ukraine, including financial aid and other measures.
On May 2, the European Commission imposed restrictions on the export of Ukrainian grain to five EU countries – Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary. The restrictions apply only to four agricultural products – wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds.
Thus, the European Commission replaced the unilateral decisions of five countries with their own regulation.
Source: korrespondent
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