We support Polish farmers

Polish farmers can count on state aid when they need it. We have demonstrated this during difficult moments, such as droughts or the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The countryside has faced many problems and disasters in recent years. When farmers were affected by drought in 2018, in 2019, we provided them with PLN 2.5 billion. This is five times more than what our predecessors paid out for a comparable drought. Unfortunately, in 2019 there was another drought and again, a similar payment was made in 2020," informed the Prime Minister.

The COVID-19 pandemic also had a negative impact on the situation in the Polish countryside. "Then, there was the time of COVID-19, and we introduced the Anti-Crisis Shield to save jobs – also in the countryside. We saved 5 million of them. Today, it is appreciated by international financial institutions and the European Commission," he added.

Aid for the Polish countryside in times of "putinflation"

Nowadays, we are all struggling with rising prices, also referred to as "putinflation". It is caused by Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine, as well as high prices of raw materials. “We are facing a terrible war in Ukraine. It also affects economic phenomena and developments. The prices of fuel are rising, which translates into production costs. The prices of fertilisers have increased because of high gas prices," said Mateusz Morawiecki.

The government supports farms every time the situation demands it. We do not bury our heads in the sand, but address the difficulties. Among other things, we have introduced an immediate decrease in VAT on fertilisers – we did not wait for the final approval of the European Commission. In addition, we:

• are introducing subsidies for fertilisers,
• are establishing subsidies exceeding the EU average for small and medium-sized farms,
• are launching higher subsidies for agricultural fuel,
• have reduced VAT on fuel from 23% to 8%,
• have provided farmers with free market spaces in towns and cities,
• have liberalised agricultural retail trade.

Subsidies for agricultural fertilisers that will benefit all Poles

Fertiliser subsidies for farmers are one of the elements of the Anti-Putin Shield. This solution will benefit not only farmers. It will help all Poles, who will pay less for food. Funds for this purpose are provided from the national budget.

This programme provides for support in the form of direct subsidies. The solution is addressed to farmers who:

• conduct their agricultural activities in Poland,
• have been affected by an increase in prices of fertilisers due to the current geopolitical crisis and associated sanctions.

To compensate for part of the increase in prices of fertilisers, farmers who meet the requirements will receive subsidies amounting to:

• up to PLN 500 per hectare of agricultural land,
• up to 250 PLN per hectare of grassland and pastures.

We have extended the deadline for submitting applications to 31 May 2022. This applies to mineral fertilisers other than agricultural lime and agricultural lime containing magnesium.

Subsidies exceeding the EU average for Polish farmers

Direct subsidies exceeding the EU average will be granted to up to 97 percent of farms. As of this year, farmers can apply for an additional payment, the so-called Complementary Basic Payment, under the direct payment scheme.

"We are implementing our compensatory payments, which are also funded from the state budget. Thanks to them, thanks to all the funds – already this year – the subsidies for over 90 percent of farms will be equal or even slightly higher than the EU average," noted the Prime Minister.

The payment supports the implementation of the programme entitled "Subsidies above the EU average for small- and medium-sized farms" under the Polish Deal for the Polish countryside. It will be available to:

• • farms up to 30 ha as of 2022,
  • farms up to 50 ha as of 2023.