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Protests are set to resume unless Warsaw reverses an agricultural tax hike and a planned deal with South American nations
Polish farmers have warned that they will resume their blockade of the Ukrainian border next month unless the government in Warsaw reconsiders its stance towards the influx of cheap produce from Ukraine, as well as the EU’s green policies.
Activists blocked the main border crossing at Medyka-Shehyni from Friday until late Sunday, and have given the authorities until December 10 to address their grievances.
On Monday, the Polish Press Agency quoted Roman Kondrow, the head of a regional farmers’ association, as saying: “we will write down all our demands and present them to the agriculture minister. Should the minister disregard our concerns and merely present promises, we will once again block the road and demand talks with Prime Minister Donald Tusk.”
According to the Polish media, approximately 30 people blocked the crossing late last week, allowing one truck per hour to cross the border, with exemptions made for buses, as well as humanitarian and military cargo.
The farmers expressed outrage at the government’s failure to honor its promise not to raise the agriculture tax and keep it at the 2023 level. They also denounced several other newly introduced regulations.
The protesters also slammed the EU plans to sign a free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc of South American nations. They fear that the deal could result in an influx of cheap produce that would undercut Polish farmers.
Commenting on last week’s border blockade, Ukrainian authorities criticized Polish farmers for “using the border as a tool to influence their government.” Some commentators in the country were quick to point the finger at Russia, suggesting that Moscow is paying the protesters.
Back in March, tens of thousands of Polish agricultural workers simultaneously blocked roads in several hundred locations nationwide, including outside the capital, Warsaw.
