Disgruntled farmers to block roads across Poland
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
02.02.2015 09:35
Trade unionists have declared that farmers will be carrying out further waves of roadblocks this week, amid a push for wide-ranging compensation payments.
Sławomir Izdebski (R), head of the agricultural wing of OPZZ, together with his lawyer (R). Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara
The roadblocks resumed on Monday on the No.2 road from Warsaw to Terespol, and similar actions are set to follow in five provinces.
Minister of Agriculture Marek Sawicki criticised the move on Sunday, noting that the All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ) is already booked to take part in talks with the government.
The agricultural wing of OPZZ, led by Sławomir Izdebski, is seeking compensation for a wide range of grievances, including crops destroyed by wild boars, losses incurred by the two-year ban on ritual slaughter, and low market prices for raw materials.
Izdebski has complained that the government was able to find money for a loan to Ukraine, as announced last week, but not to help farmers.
''For that [Ukraine] there is money, but for the payment of compensation for producers of sweetcorn or potatos there is nothing,'' he said. (nh)
Source: PAP