– Today’s AGRIFISH Council focuses primarily on the fertiliser market and EU agri-food trade. The situation on the fertiliser market is further complicated by the conflict in the Middle East and amendments to law. Today, farmers all over Europe need real support and stable production conditions – said Minister Stefan Krajewski.

Fertilisers and costs of production

At the meeting, the European Commission will present a new action plan on fertilisers. The document envisages, among others, support for farms, increased production of fertilisers in the EU and reduced dependence on import.

Higher prices of fertilisers are increasingly affecting the profitability of agricultural production and food security.

– The conflict in the Middle East has demonstrated the importance of stabilised prices of fertilisers and other inputs for food security. Europe needs stable supply chains and increased production of fertilisers on the internal market – stressed Minister Stefan Krajewski.

The Head of the Ministry of Agriculture also indicated that many Member States reported problems related to drought, overwintering of plants and spring frost.

– Many Member States report losses due to the overwintering of plants and spring frost. Farmers incur high costs of production and, at the same time, expect lower yields than in previous years – said the Minister.

Poland wants a full analysis of the effects of trade agreements

The Ministers of Agriculture are also talking about EU trade in agri-food products and in this context also about trade agreements being negotiated by the European Union. Once again, Poland demands a full analysis of their effect on the European agricultural market and the situation of producers in the individual Member States.

– Poland expects the European Commission to fully analyse the effects of trade agreements on EU agriculture, including the most sensitive sectors, such as the sugar market – said Minister Stefan Krajewski.

The analyses prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development show that cumulative tariff preferences, for example, in the sugar sector, already correspond to about 16% of EU production and exceed the volume of the whole Polish production of sugar.

– We cannot support European farmers and, at the same time, sign agreements that affect local production – highlighted the Minister.

Poland maintains its opposition to the EU-Mercosur agreement

Minister Stefan Krajewski also reiterated Poland’s position on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

– As the Ministry of Agriculture, we pointed to the most important threats related to the agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries and we kept our word. We have filed the complaint as the only Member State – said the Minister.

Poland also points to the absence of equal production standards between EU and non-EU producers, particularly in the field of plant protection products and animal welfare.

Meetings of the Ministers and talks of the V4 countries

On the sidelines of the AGRIFISH meeting, Minister Stefan Krajewski also participates in the meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the European People’s Party and in the talks of the Visegrad Group countries. Also, a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Agriculture of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Jaimi van Essen, has been planned.