Poland Fights to Protect Farmers: Calls for Extension of Embargo on Ukrainian Grain

In a move to protect its own farmers, Poland has called on the European Union (EU) to extend the embargo on imports of Ukrainian grain beyond the September 15 deadline. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has requested that the European Commission extend the ban on the entry of Ukraine corn, wheat, sunflower, and rapeseed. In a speech to farmers, Morawiecki emphasized the significance of the upcoming parliamentary elections in determining the future of Poland's agriculture.

The ruling conservative Law and Justice party aims to attract farmer voters during its campaign. Poland, along with Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania, imposed the embargo from April to September to prevent an oversupply of Ukrainian grains that would harm their local markets. Only the transit of sealed goods is allowed to support Ukraine's export efforts amid Russian export route blockades.

Despite debates in the European Parliament, Morawiecki took to platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to declare that "Poland will not allow Ukraine grain to flood us." The EU Agriculture Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowski, is making efforts to extend the embargo. Although Poland has been supporting Ukraine with military and humanitarian aid, the government aims to prioritize the interests of its own citizens and agriculture. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal stated that if trade laws were violated for political reasons, Ukraine would turn to WTO arbitration for compensation.