Polish farmers protest ahead of EU presidency Gala

As Poland enters the first days of its presidency of the Council of the European Union, farmers have taken to the streets of Warsaw in protest.  

Protesting on the same day as the Polish presidency’s opening gala, the demonstrators marched under the slogan “5 x STOP” in reference to what the demonstrators point to as five areas that affect Poland as a result of policies introduced by Brussels: the Mercosur trade deal, the European Green Deal, the import of agricultural products from Ukraine, the destruction of Polish forestry and fishing sectors, and problems in the Polish economy.

This is the latest in a series of protests held by farmers, not just in Poland but also across Europe since December 2023.

Both French and Spanish farmers have also been vocal in expressing their displeasure with the Mercosur trade agreement, which they say will undermine European livestock and farming as well as allow products subject to less strict standards to enter the EU.

The Polish government, similar to those of France and Germany, has expressed its own official opposition to the Mercosur deal. Polish farmers are opposed to agricultural imports from Ukraine, meanwhile, due to what they see as putting local producers in a disadvantageous position.

The protesting farmers’ methods have included blocking roads and highways and picketing in front of government buildings. A one-day blockade of a border crossing with Ukraine was carried out in November, with further blockades of other roads around Poland carried out in subsequent weeks.

Friday’s protest ended in front of Warsaw’s National Theatre, where the Polish presidency’s opening gala is to be held.