Participants in the seminar

The two-day seminar is attended by, inter alia: Secretary of State Michał Kołodziejczak, Undersecretary of State Adam Nowak, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Bogusław Wijatyk and on the part of the UE – Director-General for Agriculture, Fisheries, Social Affairs and Health Cesare Onestini, and the Directors: for Agriculture – Andra Rupprechtera, for Fisheries – Gabor Ivan and for Veterinary and Plant Health Questions, Food and Forestry – Jean Recalde.

There were also the officials of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union in Brussels: head of the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development Magdalena Montaigu and head of the Department for Fisheries, Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation Krystian Królik.

Polish Presidency

– Our presidency takes place in a unique period – said Minister Czesław Siekierski.

– The Polish Presidency means also a lot of challenges – added the head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and stated that the beginning of the Polish Presidency was at the beginning of the work of the new European Commission, and recent years had been full of exceptional events, such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The importance of food security took on a different dimension.

The Minister pointed out that Poland had 20 years of experience in the European Union.

– These were good years for Polish agriculture, but now we have to talk about the challenges awaiting us – said the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.

He indicated his experience related to the presidency of the European Parliament’s agriculture committee and the observation of nearly 30 presidencies while performing his duties as a MEP.

Polish priorities

Minister Czesław Siekierski informed that Poland would like to focus on defining tasks and the role to be played by the future Common Agricultural Policy.

– The major task of the CAP should be to ensure food security by its financing corresponding to the tasks, expectations and goals set – stressed the Polish Minister.

Minister Siekierski pointed out that we all needed to be aware of the functions performed by modern European agriculture. At the same time, he stated that the requirements regarding products inflowing the European market from third countries were a serious issue. On the other hand, the very high requirements in relation to EU farmers increase production costs.

– Competitiveness within the European Union becomes equalised, but agriculture is diversified and we have to take this into account. We will also contribute this to the discussion on the Common Agricultural Policy – added the Minister.

At the same time, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture pointed out that not all requirements resulted from the EU legislation and therefore it was necessary to review in detail those regulations which we introduced on our own and which unnecessarily complicate the procedures.

Broader perspective

– It is very exciting to talk about the future, but please remember that farmers are implementing the current Common Agricultural Policy – said the Director General Cesare Onestini.

– It is important to take a broader perspective – added the EU official.

Director Cesare Onestini pointed out that planning was necessary and very important, but in special situations there was the possibility of modifying schedules, just like it was the case recently when decisions on support were made very quickly.

– You are becoming the country that will have to take care of the balance between the institutions, but at the same time move forward – said Director Onestini, referring to the time of the Polish presidency.