Landmark agreement on agricultural trade liberalization signed with the EU

After seven months of negotiations Poland yesterday signed an agreement on liberalization of trade in agriculture with the European Union (EU), becoming the last EU candidate from the region to do so. The delay was caused by Poland's refusal to rescind customs duties hikes introduced last year. However, yesterday Agriculture Minister Artur Balazs and the EU commissioner for agriculture Franz Fischler rejoiced. "We have reached a compromise which satisfies both sides," said Balazs. Fischler said the agreement had, "...the broadest and most profound reach of all the deals signed recently with Central and Eastern European countries." Over 75% of agricultural goods will be traded without any barriers, including fruit, vegetables, horsemeat, livestock and mushrooms. Meanwhile, for the sensitive products, such as wheat, poultry, pork and butter, two-way duty-free quotas have been established, with the EU withdrawing its export subsidies to these goods. According to EU official Helmut Stadler, trade in non-sensitive goods alone, mostly produce, should increase from euro 200 million to euro 600 million, as a result of the agreement. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 20)