The status and prospects of Polish-French co-operation
11.02.2021
On 11 February 2021, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Grzegorz Puda, met the Ambassador of the French Republic to Poland Frédéric Billet. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the current status and prospects of Polish-French co operation at the political and expert level.
“Poland declares its readiness to strengthen mutual contacts by resuming the work of the Polish-French Committee on Agriculture and by returning to the discussions at the level of Ministers of Agriculture of the Weimar Triangle countries (Poland, Germany, France),” said Minister Puda, highlighting the importance of the traditionally good co‑operation with France in the area of agricultural and trade policy.
Actions in the face of COVID-19
Both parties reaffirmed it is crucial to ensure food security and short supply chains in the context of the COVID‑19 pandemic. It is also essential to support infrastructural investments as well as new and stable jobs in rural areas, including those funded through the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, and the countries should co‑operate effectively during a difficult time of economic recovery and digital transformation.
Impact of international agreements on the EU agri-food sector
The conversation also touched upon Brexit and its impact on the EU agri-food sector and EU trade policy. “Polish farmers, much like their French counterparts, are concerned about the potential negative impact of EU trade agreements with Mercosur countries and New Zealand on the agricultural sector in the EU,” stressed Minister Grzegorz Puda, declaring his full readiness to engage in active co‑operation with France in order to secure the interests of European agriculture during those negotiations.
Scientific co‑operation
Minister Grzegorz Puda expressed his hope for continued good and mutually beneficial co‑operation which has been developing for several years between agricultural schools and veterinary services of both countries. “The exchange of expertise and best practices is particularly important in the context of efforts to combat African swine fever and other transboundary diseases across Europe. We are also interested in further strengthening the scientific co‑operation in research and innovation in agriculture,” said the head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture.
The Poland-France talks on agricultural policy and bilateral co‑operation prospects in the area of agriculture will soon be continued at the ministerial level in both countries.
