Embargoed food will go to charities

Marek Sawicki, Poland’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development assured on a meeting in Pilchowice last weekend that embargoed Polish food would be given to charity organizations, such as Caritas or the Red Cross, if the organizations wish so. Then the food will be transferred to smaller organizations. The Minister also commented on the EU’s financial support to the farmers who suffer from the Russian embargo. According to Sawicki, the amount of support is not final and binding and auxiliary funds may be introduced if needed. However, the amount for organized groups of farmers is said to be bigger than for individual ones. This problem should be solved by EC – added Sawicki. Farmers announced protests in Brussels, if the amount of the EU’s financial support would not be increased. Russia introduced an import ban on Polish fruit and vegetables as of August 1. It then extended the embargo to a wide range of agricultural produce from the EU and other Western countries.