Farmers across the country are one more time raising their voices against the government's policy, which in their opinion withdraws from the promises and does not take concrete measures to improve the profitability of agricultural production. The situation in the Polish village is becoming increasingly tense, and farmers are announcing nationwide protests that are to take place this autumn. “We gotta get back on the road. There's no money for farmers, and the government is dreaming of the Olympic Games. This is simply a mockery," said outraged farmers.
Festival of withdrawal from promises
In fresh weeks, farmers have observed that the government is systematically withdrawing from the promises that were made both before the elections and during erstwhile protests. 1 of the most exasperating examples is the decision of the Ministry of Agriculture not to reduce the 4th instalment of the agricultural tax.
"The Ministry has besides withdrawn from the work on the reconstruction of the pig population," emphasises Damian Murawiec, a farmer from Elbląg and activist of the Young Farmers Movement and the grassroots National Farmers Protest.
Murawiec besides points out that the promised support from the Agricultural Reconstruction Fund will not be available to many farmers. "A large group of farmers will be excluded from support, which is absolutely unacceptable," he adds.
Green Deal and Unfulfilled Expectations
One of the key points of disagreement between the government and farmers is the implementation of the alleged Green Deal. Although the government promised to loosen any conditionality standards, according to Murawc, these changes are insufficient. "Green Deal has been loosened only in respect of certain standards, not thrown into the basket as we wanted," he explains.
Farmers are besides disappointed by the deficiency of an embargo on all Belarusian and Russian agricultural products, which was 1 of their key demands. "Despite many promises, the government has not made this crucial step, which strikes our interests," Murawiec notes.
Lack of dialog and unreliable data
The deficiency of dialog on the part of the government is another problem that farmers highlight. Despite announcements to set up working teams to work out solutions to agricultural problems, only 1 drought gathering has been held so far.
"There was 1 gathering of the drought and silence team. Nothing goes on. And time flies," says Murawiec.
Farmers have besides called for a waiver from the alleged drought application, which they believe shows unreliable data, especially in the case of meadows. Unfortunately, as Murawiec points out, the government has not taken their comments into account, and the application inactive functions in its original, defective form.
Conflict with the Ministry of the Environment
Another origin exacerbating the frustration of farmers is the proposals of the Ministry of the Environment to reduce the number of chaotic boar shots. According to Murawiec, the actions of the Deputy Minister of the Environment of Mikołaj Dorożala indicate deficiency of respect for hunters and hunting and ignoring the opinion of scientists. “These decisions will be paid by pig farmers,” Murawiec warns.
Autumn protest announcement
The increasing frustration among farmers led to the decision to resume protests in autumn and winter. The action is intended to be of a nationwide nature, and its aim is to force the government to take concrete measures for agriculture. ‘There is no way out. We request to get back on the road, we request to protest again," farmers say.
Their main charge is the deficiency of effective agricultural policy, despite the claims of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Kołodziejczak. "It is not functional and has no change. There is no money to compensate farmers whose hail has broken all the crops, and the government dreams of the Olympic Games. It is simply a mockery," says 1 farmer.
Call for the creation of working teams
In the face of increasing problems, farmers reiterate their call for the Ministry of Agriculture to urgently set up working teams that could make concrete solutions. "We request from the Ministry to set up these working teams. We are ready for dialogue, we are ready for work," emphasized farmers.
It is not known whether the ministry will cooperate, but 1 thing is certain: the coming autumn and winter will be a hot time in agriculture. The announcement of these events was today's informing protest of farmers in Strong, in the municipality of Chojnice (Kujawsko-pomorskie province), which can only be a prelude to extended actions throughout the country.
Summary
Farmers in Poland are on the verge of desperation, struggling with hard weather conditions, low buying prices and deficiency of government support. The withdrawal from promises, the deficiency of dialog and unreliable solutions only exacerbate their frustration, which can lead to large-scale escalation of protests. The coming months will be crucial for the future of Polish agriculture and relations between farmers and the government.
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“The government has deceived us and has not fulfilled its promises” Farmers take the streets again
