Large-scale demonstrations organized by local farmers will take place in Poland on Wednesday, March 20. According to a report by RMF24 news portal, closures are expected in more than 500 settlements during the events, with protesters marching on streets and highways with agricultural machinery. Based on reports, about ten major highways are expected to be closed, especially those leading to Warsaw.
The purpose of the demonstrations is to draw attention to EU environmental protection regulations, which Polish farmers are demanding be relaxed or abolished. In addition, they also expect financial support from EU authorities, and are urging a ban on the import of agricultural products from non-EU countries, with Ukraine highlighted. At the same time, they did not mention Russian grain imports, which are still ongoing.
More than 580 events were reported at the demonstrations, which involved nearly 70,000 farmers. According to local authorities, the protests will begin in the morning and continue until the end of the working day, although in some cities the protests are scheduled to last for a shorter period.
Polish farmers also plan to impose a blockade on the Ukrainian and German borders. According to Denis Marksuk, Deputy Chairman of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council, these protests are ongoing for political reasons and enjoy significant political support.
Cover image source: Luc Auvret/Anadolu via Getty Images
