Today, on the first day of fair, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Czesław Siekierski hosted the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir at the Polish national stand during his official visit to the fair. In addition, the Minister scheduled numerous bilateral discussions and meetings with the Polish exhibitors for today.

Official visit

During the official visit of the fair, the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir accompanied by the Mayor of Berlin Kai Wenger and the Chairman of the German Farmer's Association Joachim Rukwied, Chairman of the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries Christian von Boetticher as well as the Managing Director of Messe Berlin GmbH Mario Tobias, was the guest of the Polish national stand.

The guests were welcomed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Czesław Siekierski, accompanied by the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Bogusław Wijatyk, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Berlin Dariusz Pawłoś and Deputy Director of the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR) Leszek Iwaniuk.

– Europe needs strong Poland. I hope for the enhanced cooperation under the Weimar Triangle – said the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir, when accepting the basket with the top quality Polish products from Minister Siekierski.

The Polish Minister thanked for the visit and expressed his support for boosting the cooperation between the states under the Weimar Triangle and his hope for good cooperation in the EU aimed at working out the solutions supporting the farmers.

Opening of the Polish national stand

The Polish national stand was officially opened by: Minister Czesław Siekierski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Berlin Dariusz Pawłoś and Deputy Director of the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR) Leszek Iwaniuk.

– The Grüne Woche fair in Berlin, being the event of a great and long tradition, is not only about presentation and promotion of food. This is also an opportunity to discuss the current challenges related to the agriculture and food economy  – said Minister Czesław Siekierski and added that the Polish stand has been present on the fair for many years.

Minister Siekierski referred also to the greatest challenge faced currently by the Polish and European agriculture – the inflow of the Ukrainian agri-food products onto the European markets.

– The arrangements at the European level concerning the new principles of the liberalisation of trade in the agri-food products with Ukraine are under way. We pursue for introducing the solutions, which will not pass the costs on the EU farmers.  That is why we are talking about this today with the ministers for agriculture of Germany and Ukraine and will discuss this issue with the remaining European ministers for agriculture on Tuesday – informed the Minister, pointing out that the Ukrainian food should be transferred primarily to the world regions at risk of hunger.

In response to the media inquiries, the Head of the Ministry of Agriculture announced that the regulations to be applied from June 2024 will monitor and regulate the inflow of the Ukrainian agri-food products onto the EU markets.

– Support for Ukraine we want to continue cannot imply the deterioration in the situation of the European farmers – stressed Minister Siekierski and added that the protests of the farmers in Europe have clearly demonstrated to the governments of the Member States and the EU that the measures supporting the agriculture and improving competitiveness of the European food are much needed.

– At present, the Ukrainian agri-food products remain on the EU markets to a great extent and compete with the European products, which are more expensive due to higher production costs – noted the Head of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Minister Siekierski referred also to the initiated negotiations of Ukraine on the membership of the European Union.

– We support this process, the more that it will dictate specific terms and conditions to Ukraine that will have to be met – in the area of the food production and quality standards in force in the EU – pointed out the Minister.

Minister Siekierski raised also the issue of the EU requirements on the ecology and their impact on the costs of agricultural production.

– We need more reasonable solutions than currently proposed. I want to emphasize that the farmers have always cared of the environment – quality of soils, purity of waters and animal welfare. We cannot force the solutions that are the excessive cost burden to them – stressed the Head of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Polish national stand

The Polish national stand organised by the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR) presents the offer of 12 Polish companies. It includes among others:

• milk products;
• fruit and vegetable products, including: juices, smoothies, pickles, jams and dried products;
• fish and fish products;
• sourdough soups;
• honeys;
• healthy snacks;
• non-pasteurised and flavoured beers;
• liqueurs.

The Polish stand organises the culinary shows and tasting sessions performed by the Polish chefs, which familiarise the fair visitors with the flavours of the Polish cuisine as well as the Polish culinary tradition and culture.

During the first weekend of the fair, the Polish national stand will be attended by the representatives of the Farmers’ Wives Association (KGW) in Szaflary, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the winners of the finals of the 8^th edition of the culinary competition for the Farmers’ Wives Associations – “The Battle of the Regions”. The members of the winning Farmers’ Wives Association will prepare and present the traditional Polish regional dishes during a culinary show.

Poland is also represented on the fair by the Marshall Offices of the Lower Silesian, Kuyavian and Pomeranian and Greater Poland Voivodeships, having their stands in direct vicinity of the national stand.

About the event

The “Green Week” Agri-Food Fair (Grüne Woche) is the international event with tradition dating back to 1926. The producers from all around the world present their food (in particular organic and regional products), supplies for the agriculture, forestry and horticulture, animals, kitchen appliances and garden furnishings. The fair’s offer in the field of rural development also plays an important role.

The Green Week is also an opportunity to hold meetings and discussions on the topical global issues related to agriculture and food economy.

The fair hosts the place for the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) attended by several dozens of ministers of economy, environment, agriculture and rural development from around the world.