Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Henryk Kowalczyk evacuated from the agricultural fair in Kielce

The 28th edition of the Agrotech International Fair of Agricultural Technology began on Friday in the halls of Targi Kielce. Apart from farmers, also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Henryk Kowalczyk came to Kielce.

This coincided with a protest action by the Fraudulent Wieś Association, in which farmers dressed in yellow reflective vests participated. Government officials were surrounded by farmers who whistled and shouted “Judas” and other vulgar slogans.

The deputy prime minister was then evacuated from the facility with security, but the protesters followed him. There were scuffles between farmers and security.

– We want to show the minister around the fair, show him that we are here, that our problems have not disappeared. We are tired of the helplessness of the government – said Wiesław Gryn, vice-president of the Zamość Agricultural Society and one of the organizers of the protest, quoted by the industry portal farmer.pl.

After leaving the hall, Kowalczyk took part in a press conference during which he was asked to comment on the matter.

– I invited representatives, I still invite you to talk, but it’s hard to talk in noise and whistles. I invited them to specific, precise talks, so far no one wants to come forward. Apparently, he does not care about conversations, only whistles and screams. I think that this is not the way to fix Polish agriculture – replied the Deputy Prime Minister.

The agricultural technology fair Agrotech in Kielce will last until March 19. The center exhibits 450 companies from 15 countries. State-of-the-art technology solutions from the agro industry are presented, e.g. tractors, harvesters, tillage and farm machinery.