Findings

"This is another meeting during which we discussed negotiations with the European Commission on the transit of agricultural products from Ukraine through our countries," informed Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Robert Telus shortly after the meeting. The Minister was accompanied by Secretary of State Ryszard Bartosik and Undersecretary of State Krzysztof Ciecióra, who participated in the talks.

All five countries considered the support amount of EUR 100 million proposed by the European Commission insufficient.

"We are together, and the most important thing is that we talk together. We are fighting in solidarity for our cause. The European Union has already agreed to some of our proposals. Although some products have already been included in the list for discussion, we still have others we want to fight for together," Minister Ryszard Telus stressed.

Moreover, the Head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced that he would present the position of the five countries during tomorrow's meeting in Luxembourg with EU Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis.

New products

Minister Robert Telus also said that flour, soft fruit and apple juice, among others, had been added to the list of products that should not enter our market from Ukraine.

At the same time, the Head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development noted that it was agreed during today's meeting that such products would be allowed on the market in the event of shortages in any of the five countries.

Aid for farmers

Minister Robert Telus once again stressed that help for Ukraine was necessary. However, the costs of this assistance should be spread evenly across all Member States, as they are currently borne mainly by farmers from the frontline countries.

"The Government has allocated PLN 10 billion to help Polish farmers. This is a war situation, and the aid is exceptional and record-breaking," the Minister recalled.

The Head of the Ministry also expressed the hope that the European Commission would act very quickly this time and give its consent to the Government's proposed support for Polish farmers from the Polish budget.