The Polish meat manufacture powerfully opposes the EU's proposals for changes in agriculture, aimed at reducing animal husbandry and promoting a plant diet, especially among the youngest. According to a letter addressed to Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski, manufacture officials inform that the planned reforms could have disastrous consequences for the full agri-food sector.
EU agricultural improvement proposals after 2027
The origin of controversy is simply a study prepared in the framework of the strategical dialog of the European Union, published on the European Commission's website. Although this paper is not legislative, it forms the basis for creating a Common Agricultural Policy after 2027. Its proposals include, among others, the simplification of meat production, the promotion of a plant diet, the introduction of an emissions trading strategy in agriculture and support for the Nutriscore system, which assesses the nutritional value of products.
The meat manufacture is alarming: ‘This is unrealistic and unfavourable for farmers’
In a letter to Minister Siekierski, signed by the heads of manufacture organizations specified as the Union of Polish Meat, the Union of Producers and Employers of the UPEMI Meat manufacture and the Polish Association of Meat Producers, there was a deep concern about the direction of the proposed changes. The manufacture believes that the paper is based on unrealistic and frequently not based on technological evidence of lobbyist groups' proposals, mainly from Germany. Wiesław Różanski, president of UPEMI, pointed out that the proposals contained in the study could negatively affect Polish farmers and the full meat sector.
"European agriculture must not be allowed to become an ecological open-air museum that will not be able to compete with powers specified as South America, North America or Asian countries," said representatives of the meat manufacture in their letter.
Promotion of a plant diet among children – a controversial component of reforms
One of the most discussed elements of the study is the promotion of a plant diet among the youngest. The Polish meat manufacture argues that specified actions can have a long-term impact on the nutritional habits of future generations, which will consequently affect the livestock sector and meat production. The manufacture besides expresses doubts about the Nutriscore system, considering that the simplified method of assessing the nutritional value of products does not reflect the full complexity of the composition of food.
Opposition to EU emissions regulation in agriculture
Another concern for Polish meat producers is the proposal to introduce an emissions trading strategy in agriculture. According to the industry, specified regulation can lead to increased production costs, which will negatively affect the competitiveness of European agricultural products on global markets.
"In the face of global challenges specified as climate change, pandemics or armed conflicts, a strong agricultural sector becomes a key component of national security. Therefore, the proposals in the study should be met with the strong opposition of the Ministry of Agriculture and agrarian Development", the letter stressed.
The future of agriculture in the EU – what next?
Although the European Commission's study is not yet legal, it sends a clear signal as to the direction in which the future agricultural policy of the European Union is heading. The Polish meat manufacture is afraid that if EU proposals are put into practice, this will weaken the full agricultural sector in Europe. The manufacture demands that the Polish government take a defensive position and argue the forced changes.
The Polish meat manufacture emphasizes that its concerns are not due to opposition to environmental measures or improved consumer health, but to concern for the future of the sector, which plays a key function in the national economy and food security. The manufacture expects the Polish authorities to take action to defend farmers' interests and guarantee the sustainable improvement of the agricultural sector.
Conclusion
The Polish meat manufacture powerfully opposes EU agricultural improvement plans, recognising them as a threat to the future of the agricultural and economical sector of the country. Faced with expanding global challenges specified as climate change and increasing request for food, the manufacture calls for actions to defend the interests of Polish farmers and guarantee the stableness of the agri-food sector.
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Eurokołchoz wants to “dislease” young meat eating – the Polish meat manufacture is alarming
