A debate was held in the European Parliament on extending the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain. – We have committed significant resources and support to ensure that Ukraine’s grain exports can go where they are needed. We provide support to farmers from the European Union, argued the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski. – Please tell me, are you fighting for an embargo? – Andrzej Halicki from PO asked him. The leader of Agrounia, Michał Kołodziejczak, also came to Strasbourg and wanted to ask the commissioner the same question. He did not receive an answer. He stated that Wojciechowski escaped “from the hail of questions” on this matter.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on Tuesday evening that Poland will maintain a total ban on imports of Ukrainian grain after September 15. – This embargo will continue to apply – he said.
At the same time, a debate on this matter took place in the European Parliament.
As TVN24 correspondent in Brussels Maciej Sokołowski explained, “even before the debate ended, Poland actually decided what it would do after September 15, without actually waiting for the result of these discussions in Strasbourg, or for the result of the European Commission meeting, which will be held this year.” decide on the matter.”
Debate on Ukrainian grain in the European Parliament. The government wants to extend the import ban. Report by Maciej SokołowskiTVN24
Wojciechowski: funds must be provided to enable the transport of Ukrainian grain through neighboring countries
During the debate, speakers included the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski.
– We have committed significant resources and support to ensure that grain exports from Ukraine was possible where it was needed. We provide support to farmers from the European Union. Temporary measures were implemented, which allowed for the stabilization of markets in neighboring countries (Ukraine). This did not limit the export of Ukrainian grain through the solidarity corridors, Wojciechowski said.
– There is evidence that we have that, with good will and commitment, there are logistical capabilities that will allow us to export this year’s harvest from Ukraine. It is essential that we provide the necessary means to transport Ukrainian grain through neighboring countries to avoid bottlenecks, he continued.
Janusz Wojciechowski also informed that this issue will be discussed on Wednesday during the meeting of the coordination group, which includes representatives of five EU countries (Poland, HungarianRomania, Slovakia, Bulgaria), the European Commission and Ukraine.
Wojciechowski: we provide support to farmers from the European UnionTVN24
Szydło: The European Commission has an obligation to show solidarity with the member states
Polish MEPs also spoke out in the debate.
– European Commission has an obligation to show solidarity with the Member States. Especially those that bear the brunt of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (…) I want to thank Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski for his information, for what he does for farmers, for the positive changes that are being introduced – said former Prime Minister Beata Szydło.
– But I have a message for my colleagues, especially from Poland, who are organizing an election campaign here in the European Parliament: get it done. If Tusk says he can do anything, then go ahead. Why are there no representatives of your Commissioner, your President, here today? Ladies and gentlemen, today there is no more important issue than the interest of Polish farmers (…). We will not open the borders, we will not allow Polish farmers to lose representatives who are elected in Poland and cannot defend the interests of Polish farmers here due to the incompetence, continued the PiS MEP.
Szydło: we will not open borders, we will not allow Polish farmers to lose outTVN24
Halicki: what have you done with your promises?
MEP Andrzej Halicki (PO) criticized the Polish authorities during the debate. – What did you do with your promises? You were supposed to make this portfolio, the portfolio of the Minister of Agriculture, the most important in the entire Commission. Subsidies for Polish farmers were to be higher than German ones, or at least equal to them. Polish farmers will lose 30 percent and they will hold you accountable, he said.
– Please tell me, because Polish farmers work too hard today, are you fighting for an embargo? – he turned to Wojciechowski.
In his statement, he also referred to the fact that Michał Kołodziejczak, who is running in the elections parliamentary candidates from the Civic Coalition lists.
– Michał Kołodziejczak, the leader of AgroUnia, had to come today to conduct talks (…). Polish farmers deserve to be defended and really, if you don’t apologize and leave, they (farmers – ed.) will show you this place that Wincenty Witos pointed out to fraudsters and hypocrites a hundred years ago – added Halicki, turning again to the Polish EU commissioner .
Kołodziejczak: Commissioner Wojciechowski is running away from questions, it’s a scandal
Michał Kołodziejczak tried to ask questions to Commissioner Wojciechowski, following him through the corridor of the EU Parliament. However, the commissioner first talked on the phone, and then, when he finished the conversation, he remained silent.
Michał Kołodziejczak wanted to ask questions to Janusz WojciechowskiTVN24
Kołodziejczak said that “Commissioner Wojciechowski does not want to answer the question” why he did not clearly say in the European Parliament that the provisions on the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain are to be extended.
He added that Wojciechowski “ran away like a rat from the hail of questions that was waiting for him.” – Today I called Commissioner Wojciechowski and talked to his assistant to arrange a meeting. He did not respond, although they assured him that there would be an answer. And this shows that they are running away from the problems they have caused for themselves and Polish farmers. And this is a scandal, said the leader of Agrounia.
Kołodziejczak: Commissioner Wojciechowski escaped from the hail of questions that were waiting for himTVN24
Main photo source: TVN24