As Poland enters the early days of its presidency of the European Union Council, farmers have taken to the streets of Warsaw in protest.
Demonstrating on the same day as the gala for the opening of Poland’s presidency, the protesters marched under the slogan “5 x STOP,” referring to what they highlight as five areas negatively impacting Poland due to policies introduced by Brussels: the Mercosur trade agreement, the European Green Deal, agricultural imports from Ukraine, the destruction of Poland’s forestry and fishing sectors, and issues in the Polish economy.
This marks the latest in a series of protests held by farmers, not only in Poland but across Europe since December 2023.
Farmers in France and Spain have also expressed dissatisfaction with the Mercosur trade agreement, which they argue will harm European livestock farming and agriculture, and allow products subject to less stringent standards to enter the EU.
The Polish government, similar to those of France and Germany, has expressed its official opposition to the Mercosur agreement. Polish farmers are also against agricultural imports from Ukraine, seeing them as putting local producers in an unfavorable position.
The protesters’ methods have included blocking roads and highways and picketing in front of government buildings. A one-day blockade of a border crossing with Ukraine was carried out in November, followed by other road blockades around Poland in the subsequent weeks.
Friday’s protest ended in front of the National Theatre in Warsaw, where the opening of Poland’s EU presidency was set to take place.
