Farmers across Poland are loudly declaring today: no to the EU-Mercosur agreement! “We did not necessarily want to block the road, but rather to stand in visible places, like here – on the overpass. We hope that this message will finally reach the government properly, especially since this is truly the last moment to show our opposition,” one of the protesters tells a Republika reporter.
Today, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., a nationwide protest by farmers against the EU-Mercosur agreement is taking place across Poland. The demonstrations take the form of stationary gatherings of tractors and agricultural vehicles near roads and overpasses, but – without blocking traffic.
Polish farmers are demanding that the Sejm of the Republic of Poland adopt “an unequivocal resolution obliging the government of the Republic of Poland to firmly oppose the EU-Mercosur agreement.”
Moreover, they warn that an agreement with the Mercosur countries could lead to an influx of cheap food from outside the European Union, produced under lower quality standards. In their assessment, there will be a lack of effective mechanisms to protect European producers, which could ultimately result in the liquidation of family farms.
“They make promises, and that’s where it ends”
One of the demonstrations is taking place on an overpass in Wartkowice (Łódzkie Voivodeship) – above the A2 motorway. Speaking to a reporter from TV Republika, protesters explained why they do not want the agreement with Mercosur to be adopted.
“Today, our main goal is to show our opposition to the EU-Mercosur agreement. We did not necessarily want to block the road, but rather to stand in visible places, like here – on the overpass. We hope that this message will finally reach the government properly, especially since this is truly the last moment to show our opposition. As we know, the agreement with the Mercosur countries is to be signed on January 12,” said one of the protesting female farmers.
Referring to the government’s actions, she assessed: “They say many things and do very little. So far, they have shown that they absolutely do not stand behind Polish agriculture.”
Another participant in the farmers’ protest admitted: “They promise, they talk, and that’s where it ends. I suspect it is just pulling the wool over our eyes, to divert attention and wait until the agreement is signed. And then – they will say they had no influence on it. But they do. They could do something for Polish farmers, the Polish economy, and Poland. Because of this agreement, many farms will collapse. After all, one can withdraw from this agreement, refuse to accept these products. Maybe it’s worth thinking about that…”