POLAND

Poland: Discussions on issues important to the beef sector

Beef

The successes and challenges of the Polish beef sector were discussed during the 11th International Beef Forum by Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak and Undersecretary of State Adam Nowak. The conference participants listened to a speech by EU Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen.

Posted on Feb 05 ,00:15

The forum was held under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council. The honorary patronage over the event was also assumed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Czesław Siekierski .

The deputy ministers agreed that the successes are the result of people’s hard work and, above all, the commitment of breeders.

The advantages of this sector include: excellent quality raw materials; advanced production technologies; compliance with rigorous EU standards, including those concerning animal welfare; exports accounting for 80% of production; good organisation of the sector and enormous progress in the development of the sector.

The position of the Ministry of Agriculture on the EU-Mercosur agreement

Deputy Ministers Jacek Czerniak and Adam Nowak recalled that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was the first in Poland to present a negative position towards the negotiated trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries. This position was subsequently supported by the Government of the Republic of Poland.

• The EU-Mercosur agreement poses the greatest threat to three sectors of Polish agriculture: poultry, beef and sugar beets – noted Deputy Minister Nowak.
• The Mercosur countries do not comply with the requirements that apply to meat production in the European Union – added Deputy Minister Czerniak.

Deputy ministers said that efforts are underway to build a blocking minority that would stop the EU's unfavourable trade agreement with Mercosur countries.

• We are constantly operating in the international forum. During the last meeting of the AGRIFISH Council chaired by Minister Czesław Siekierski, talks were held behind the scenes – informed Deputy Minister Czerniak.

Trade relations with Ukraine

Undersecretary of State Adam Nowak stressed that we must talk about agreements on EU trade relations with Mercosur and with Ukraine together, because they may occur simultaneously and, consequently, their consequences may be felt together.

• EU trade relations with Ukraine and the issue of its future accession are as important a challenge for Poland as Mercosur. Although there is currently no large animal production in Ukraine, there is a prospect of significant development of this production. And the products would first of all affect the Polish market - noted Deputy Minister Nowak.
• In the context of Ukraine's accession to the EU, as the Ministry of Agriculture, we have a very simple, clear and firm opinion: first of all, we must make a reliable assessment of the effects of accession on the Polish and European economy. We must build trade relations with Ukraine. I would like to emphasize that there is no consent to the full liberalization of agricultural trade with Ukraine without Ukraine meeting the requirements that apply to all member states - said Deputy Minister Nowak.

EU trade agreements with third countries

Deputy Minister Adam Nowak emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is not against EU trade agreements with third countries, but we are for equal competition. He also noted that the negotiation of trade agreements with third countries by the EC must take place in dialogue with farmers.

• The Ministry of Agriculture has reservations about the lack of full transparency and consultation with the environment during the negotiation of the EU-Mercosur agreement – said Deputy Minister Adam Nowak and added that during the last meeting of the AGRIFISH Council there was a debate on the need to revise all EU trade agreements with third countries. He informed that Minister Siekierski asked the European Commission for a collective list of all the quotas for agricultural goods from third countries to the EU area.

Other challenges for the beef sector

According to Deputy Minister Jacek Czerniak, apart from EU trade agreements with third countries, the challenges for the beef sector in Poland include environmental issues related to the Green Deal, including greenhouse gas emissions.

• Animal diseases are also a challenge for the sector. I would like to emphasize, however, that we are a country free from foot-and-mouth disease. We have a perfectly organized veterinary inspection - noted Deputy Minister Czerniak.

The future of the CAP and the Polish presidency of the EU Council

• The priorities in shaping the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the EU Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen are the simplification of EU bureaucracy, the competitiveness of European agriculture and strengthening the position of farmers in the supply chain – informed Deputy Minister Jacek Czerniak and recalled that the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council were presented at the last meeting of the AGRIFISH Council by Minister Czesław Siekierski.

The Secretary of State announced that during the presidency Poland will want to reach a compromise on New Genomic Techniques.

The 11th Beef Sector Forum took place on January 31, 2025 in Warsaw. It is one of the key events for the industry, providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge and opinions between representatives of the administration, the agri-food sector and experts.

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