Poland Calling on EU to Extend Embargo on Ukraine Grain to Protect Farmers

Poland’s government has called on the European Union to extend the embargo on imports of Ukrainian grain beyond its deadline on September 15 in order to protect Polish farmers.

The official request to the European Commission from Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki requested that entry be banned for Ukrainian corn, wheat, sunflower, and rapeseed, adding that if the EU ban was not extended, the country would do it itself because it cannot allow for the deregulation of the market.

Acting on a decision by the European Union, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania imposed an embargo on the four grains beginning in April of this year to prevent a glut in their domestic markets.

Poland has been supporting Ukraine during the war with military and humanitarian assistance, but following protests by farmers has taken a strong stance against importing Ukrainian grain.

The EU Commission, and separately, the European Parliament are scheduled to debate the point on Tuesday, September 19.

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