Farmers stage warning protests across Poland

Dozens of tractors took to the streets of Elbląg at 10:00 a.m. The protest concluded at 1:00 a.m., an hour earlier than initially planned.

Similar demonstrations occurred across the country, with agricultural protests reported in 23 locations: Medyka, Elbląg, Biała Podlaska, Kłodawa, Sieradz, Pruszcz Gdański, Nagłowice, Włocławek, Kowal, Tarnawatka, Byszki, Lotyń, Tarnogród, Kętrzyn, Egiertowo, Nowe Miasto nad Wartą, Olecko, Koszalin, Miedzichowo, Białopole, Lipie Śląskie, Pradła, and Przeworsk.

Damian Murawiec, leader of the farmers' protest assembly in Elbląg, described Tuesday’s demonstration as a warning strike.

"If the government does not take real action to block the Mercosur agreement, all agricultural unions and groups will come together, and we’ll stage a protest like no other," Murawiec declared.

He emphasized that blocking the agreement between the European Union and South American countries is the farmers' primary demand. However, he also stressed that farmers want the consistent rejection of the European Green Deal and oppose any work on the so-called "Animal Welfare Five."

On Tuesday, over 50 agricultural tractors gathered in Kazimierzowo near Elbląg for what became the largest farmers' protest of the day. Many tractors were decorated with Polish flags, and numerous machines carried banners with messages like "Mercosur is the death of Polish agriculture" and "The commissioner’s policy will destroy the farmer." The leading tractor in the demonstration displayed the latter slogan prominently.

Farmers, joined by those driving cars, formed a convoy that moved through Elbląg, blocking one lane of traffic.

"We don’t want to make people’s lives harder, so we’ll only drive through the city without permanently blocking it. We aim to raise awareness among city residents that food from outside the European Union is packed with chemicals. We’re fighting for everyone," said Damian Murawiec.

He also noted that farmers traveled to Elbląg from areas including Nowy Dwór Gdański, Sztum, Malbork, Braniewo, Ostróda, and even Podlasie region.

"Those coming from far away drove cars to demonstrate our determination," he emphasized.

The farmers’ participation underscored their distrust in the government’s ability to oppose the EU-Mercosur agreement. "We don’t believe this government is actively seeking allies to block Mercosur," one farmer from Nowy Dwór Gdański remarked.

He added: "PSL always betrayed farmers, and the Civic Platform doesn’t understand agriculture. It’s time for a government change."

Despite this frustration, no anti-government slogans were displayed on tractors. Murawiec, as the protest organizer, confirmed that the farmers remain in dialogue with the government.

The protests come amidst ongoing discussions about the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. The pact, negotiated over 20 years and finalized in June 2019, aims to create a trade zone encompassing 700 million people, but it has yet to be ratified.

The European Commission argues that the agreement would benefit the EU overall, particularly in industrial sectors, maritime transport, and segments of agri-food production.

Farmers organized similar protests on Tuesday across the country, including in Silesia, West Pomerania, and Lublin. The demonstrations reflect growing frustration and concern over the potential impact of Mercosur on Polish agriculture.