Farmers blocked roads again in protest against fur farming ban

The farmers have blocked roads across the whole of Poland. "There are protest all over the country, we've been informed about at least 200 places where the farmers have had enough. We protest against a bad law and against being pushed around" - said Michał Kołodziejczak, leader of AGROunia that coordinates the protest.

On Wednesday, Kołodziejczak showed up at a roadblock in Koszuty (Greater Poland province). The protesters set tires on fire. Once the police have arrived, a scuffle broke out. Kołodziejczak was handcuffed and placed in a police car. Shortly after, he was released and spoke to the reporters.

"I don't why the police did this. They overstepped authority, my hands hurt very much. The officers bent them so it would hurt more. They got carried away, this was a huge mistake" he said and vowed the farmers would stand firm.

Michał Kołodziejczak demanded to see Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

"We know the situation the country is in. We don't want chaos or to make matters worse. But at the same time, we can't allow to have a bad, harmful law imposed upon us without consultation" - he stressed.

The union leader also vowed that if the prime minister does not meet with the farmers by Friday, the protest will be more severe in form. He did not specify what he had in mind specifically.

"We're not politically-motivated. We're far from the parliamentary opposition that seeks destabilisation. We want to talk and help, also in fighting the pandemic. We will delegate volunteers to fight the pandemic. But they must treat us the way we deserve to be treated. We will be the opposition - wise and open for talks with the government" - Kołodziejczyk said.

In September, the lower house of parliament, the Sejm, passed a bill banning fur farming and imposing restrictions on ritual slaughter. The legislation, also known as Jarosław Kaczyński's "five for animals", was backed by 356 MPs, with 75 against and 18 abstentions.

The proposed law introduces, among other things, banning fur farming, except rabbit fur. If adopted, the legislation would allow fur farmers to seek compensation from the state budget. The provisions would become effective 12 months after the law has been passed.

Last week, the upper house of parliament, the Senate, introduced 30 amendments to the bill. The changed law would allow unrestricted ritual slaughter of poultry, ritual slaughter under current rules would be allowed until the end of 2025, and current fur farming rules - until the end of 2023. Now, the amendments will be voted on by the lower house.