The Agricultural and Food Investment Company (RSSI), established by the Government of Law and Justice (PiS), was to be a fresh hope for the Polish agri-food sector. The intent of the company was to support farmers and to take over falling processing plants. But reality turned out to be completely different. At the end of 2023, the RSSI recorded losses exceeding PLN 160 million, resulting in its liquidation. On the issue of crucial property harm by the erstwhile board of directors, the territory Attorney's Office in Warsaw initiated an investigation.
Appointment of the RSSI
In mid-October 2022, then Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ryszard Bartosik (PiS) announced the establishment of the Agricultural and Food Investment Company (RSSI). With the votes of PiS politicians, the Sejm Finance Committee granted PLN 200 million from the state budget for this purpose. The Minister of Agriculture at the time was Henryk Kowalczyk from PiS.
On 20 December 2022, the RSSI was formally registered in the National Court Register. Its share capital amounted to PLN 200 million, which came entirely from the National Centre for Agriculture Support (COW). The RSSI was intended to support the agri-food market, take over the declining processing plants and warehouses, which would aid improve the financial situation of agricultural producers.
Problems and losses
However, as Virtual Poland revealed, the company hired PiS activists in the authorities, which generated immense wage costs. Marcin Kaczmarczyk, a PiS activist from Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, headed the RSSI. Piotr Wyrzykowski was the Vice president of the Company, who previously served as the cabinet manager of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rafał Romanowski.
The Management Board of RSSI was rapidly cancelled, and the company's attorney's function was assumed by Edyta Roczenia, of which nothing is known about professional experience. "The main nonsubjective of the entity's activities is to undertake to make efficient usage of the agri-food processing possible on selected agricultural markets", assured Hanna Myjak, Deputy Director-General of KOWR in April 2023.
Despite these assurances, RSSI turned out to be a large mess. From December 2022 to December 31, 2023, the company brought 161 million zloty losses. Its revenues amounted to PLN 147,8 million and costs PLN 313,9 million. The biggest cost was "update of the value of non-financial assets" – over PLN 152 million. Nearly PLN 19 million was spent on abroad services, and the salaries cost PLN 3 million.
Elimination of RSSI
After the change of power, the fresh management of the National Agricultural Support Centre carried out an audit of the companies subject to the NAWR. By decision of the fresh authorities, the activities of the RSSI were terminated and the company was wound up. On 3 April 2024, by resolution of the Extraordinary gathering of Partners of the RSSI, a liquidator was appointed outside the current board of directors – Michał Masterak.
Masterak explained that the failure of RSSI for the year 2023 was due to the contracts concluded and the execution of claims resulting from them. The liquidator took all the legal action, focusing on collecting receivables from the company and the current business.
Prosecution investigation
In February 2024, the National Centre for Agriculture Support and members of the Supervisory Board of RSSI submitted a notification of the anticipation of the erstwhile company's management to commit a crime. On 22 May, the territory Attorney's Office in Warsaw initiated an investigation into the matter. The investigation afraid the anticipation of non-compliance or abuse of powers by persons obliged to deal with the assets of the RSSI, due to irregularities in the conclusion of contracts with the company's counterparties.
Summary
The Agricultural and Food Investment Company, established with an ambitious goal of supporting the Polish agri-food market, has become a symbol of the inefficiencies and waste of public money. employment of organization activists, deficiency of transparency and immense financial losses led to its liquidation. The RSSI case demonstrates the importance of accountability and transparency in managing public funds, especially in sectors that are key to the country's economy.
Daniel Głogowski
Expert in his field – Publicist, author and social activist. The first articles were published in 1999 for global publishers. For more than 30 years, he has gained his experience through cooperation with the largest editorial offices. In his articles, he seeks to address controversial topics and present first viewpoints that allowed for a deeper knowing of the issues discussed.
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