Polish farmers take to the streets once again

Polish farmers once again protested in Warsaw against the EU’s agricultural policies and uncontrolled product imports from Ukraine.
Following their protest on February 27, Polish farmers organized another demonstration in the capital city of Warsaw. Having decided on a 30-day general protest as of February 9, Polish farmers gathered in front of the Prime Ministry in Warsaw to convey the difficulties caused by the EU’s agricultural policy, known as the “Green Deal,” and the uncontrolled importation of agricultural products from Ukraine to the government and the Prime Minister. While the roads leading to the parliament and the Prime Ministry were completely blocked, groups arriving from outside the city of Warsaw set off towards the Prime Ministry where the protest was taking place. Officials from the Polish Forestry Directorate and hunters supported the farmers’ action. Protesters chanted anti-government slogans and carried banners with messages such as “You’ll be hungry and naked without us,” “No decisions can be made about us without us,” “Year 2024=Farming in 1956,” “Stop destroying rural Poland,” “Stop uncontrolled sugar imports from Ukraine,” and “Green Deal=Hunger.” Farmers gathered in front of the Prime Ministry also set fire to the materials they were holding. As a result of the protesters throwing explosives into the fire, the area in front of the Prime Ministry turned into a battlefield.

Security tightened
Polish police were deployed at the city entrances in the early hours of the day to prevent farmers from entering the city center with tractors and blocking traffic. Portable barrier gates were brought in to prevent the tractors from forcefully passing through, and it was observed that intervention vehicles for social events (TOMA) were also present. Police helicopters monitored security from the air around the Prime Ministry where the protest was taking place.

Meetings with the Prime Minister were inconclusive
Protest organizers and farmer representatives, who met with Prime Minister Donald Tusk on February 27, did not reach any conclusion. Speaking at today’s protest demonstration, protest organizers stated that they would continue their struggle against EU policies and uncontrolled imports from Ukraine and called for unity.
Discussions between the government and farmers regarding the protection of farmers’ rights will continue.