![Poland opposes Mercosur deal; protests continue [World News]](https://foodcom.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Foodcom_World_News_Global-1520x760.jpg "Poland opposes Mercosur deal; protests continue [World News]")
- Polish farmers have staged protests at the border with Ukraine and in Warsaw in recent days.
- The subject of the protests is an agreement negotiated by the European Union with South American countries (Mercosur).
- The agreement could threaten European agriculture by facilitating the influx of cheap, less controlled food from South America.
- Positions against the agreement are being taken by, among others, the Polish and French authorities.
Protests by Polish farmers
Polish farmers blocked the border with Ukraine at Medyka as part of a protest over the weekend. The Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the government as a whole, supports the farmers’ protest over the Mercosur agreement. The border blockade was only supposed to apply to trucks entering Poland from Ukraine, while one car per hour was allowed to cross the border in the opposite direction. On Monday, farmers also protested in Warsaw in front of the European Commission’s representation office. Additional impetus for the protests is the fact that the government has failed to meet farmers’ expectations of leaving the agricultural tax at last year’s level, as well as the opening of the border with Ukraine resulting in trade in more competitive products not controlled for EU requirements. According to the farmers, with the Mercosur agreement, the Union’s agriculture is in danger of becoming completely uncompetitive.
What is the Mercosur agreement supposed to cover?
An agreement with Mercosur would be concluded between the European Union and the Mercosur group. Negotiations had already started in June 2019, but the agreement has still not been signed. It would concern free trade between the EU and South American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. So far, negotiations on an agreement in the area of agriculture have been opposed by the Polish government, as well as the authorities of many other countries, including France. The agreement could harm European farmers, resulting in the import of cheaper agricultural goods from South America, which are not subject to EU regulations. To block the signing of the Mercosur agreement, a coalition equivalent to 35% of the EU population would need to be assembled. Talks are underway with Austria, Hungary and Ireland, while the agreement is supported by Germany, Spain and Italy. Alternative solutions are being proposed, such as imposing European standards and regulations on American goods, as well as paying compensation to European farmers.
