The topics of today’s Polish-Czech talks with the participation of Mr. Robert Telus, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Mr. Marek Výborný, Minister of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, included the current, difficult market situation, objections to the reduction targets for plant protection products and the cooperation on animal welfare. The meeting was part of the Polish-Czech Intergovernmental Consultations headed by the Prime Ministers of both countries which were held in Katowice.

The purpose of yesterday’s meeting at the seat of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development between Secretary of State Lech Kołakowski and Mr. Jonathan Mueke, Secretary of State for Livestock Development of Kenya, was to discuss the current cooperation of the countries in the field of agriculture.

The theme discussed at the meeting in Vigo, Spain, was the energy transition, including emissions abatement in the fisheries sector and its decarbonisation. The aim was to work out a model for assistance to the European fleet and aquaculture in order to enable them to overcome one of the challenges of the European Green Deal, i.e. to stop producing net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Poland was represented by Undersecretary of State Krzysztof Ciecióra.

'Today, we discussed the difficult situation caused by the war. It has destabilised agricultural markets in the frontline countries, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,' Robert Telus said after talks with representatives of the five frontline countries most affected by the disruption of agricultural markets due to excessive imports of agricultural products from Ukraine. 'We need to safeguard the interests of those who produce food in our countries,' said all participants in today's meeting.

Poland will submit a request to Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis, EU Commissioner for Trade, for the adoption of so-called preventive measures on frozen raspberries and strawberries, i.e. a ban on their imports from Ukraine.

Mr. Robert Telus, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, met in Vilnius with Mr. Kęstutis Navickas, Minister of Agriculture of Lithuania. This was another meeting which Minister Robert Telus held to gain the understanding and support of other EU Member States for the measures taken by the coalition of frontline states to address the disturbances on the agricultural markets which had been caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Mr. Robert Telus, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, met with Mr. Didzis Šmits, Minister of Agriculture of Latvia. The Ministers talked about the measures to be taken to address the disturbances on the agricultural markets which had been caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the excessive imports of agricultural products from Ukraine.

Today Secretary of State Ryszard Bartosik held talks with Dr. Muqdad Algaldos, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Iraq in Poland, about the prospects for cooperation between Poland and Iraq in the field of agriculture. An important topic addressed during the meeting at the seat of the Ministry was the Memorandum on the Polish-Iraqi cooperation in the field of agriculture now under negotiation. The interlocutors expressed their hopes for the invigoration of mutual relations and the use of the potential for the economic cooperation between the countries.

The EU Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (AGRIFISH) meeting was devoted to important issues relating to fisheries and agriculture. The Polish delegation was headed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Robert Telus.

Another edition of the Summer Fancy Food Show is underway in New York. The Polish national stand organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is also present at the fair.