Poland: Farmers to continue protests and border blockades at border crossings through at least March 10 /update 13

Unionized Polish farmers will continue their nationwide strike through March 10. Farmers launched the strike to denounce the European Commission's proposal to extend the suspension of import quotas and duties on Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year. Protests will likely occur in Poland's major cities, and unionized farmers have resumed border blockades at the Ukrainian-Polish border. Blockades have also occurred at the Ukrainian-Slovak border.

As of Feb. 27, the border crossing points affected by the blockades were:

• Korczowa-Krakovets

• Kroscienko-Smolnica

• Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska

• Dorohusk-Yahodyn

• Medyka-Shehyni

• Zosin-Ustyluh

• Dolhobyczow-Uhryniv

On Feb. 26, farmers blocked the Barwinek-Vysny Komarnik border crossing with Slovakia. After blocking all traffic for one hour, demonstrators began letting through all vehicles except trucks carrying agricultural goods. Participants previously announced plans to allow one truck carrying agricultural goods to cross into Poland each hour. Demonstration organizers signaled that they would continue the protest through 19:00 Feb. 29.

On Feb. 23, Polish farmers announced plans to block the Budzisko-Kalvarija border crossing with Lithuania. Protesters will blockade the crossing from 10:00 March 1 for one week. It was not immediately clear if participating farmers would allow any traffic to pass through the border crossing during the blockade.

Farmers generally allow personal vehicle and pedestrian traffic and the passage of military and humanitarian aid. The Polish government will likely begin negotiations with farmers' representatives in the upcoming days and weeks. Blockades could be temporarily lifted and resume within hours.

Authorities will likely maintain a heightened security posture in the vicinity of border crossings impacted by protest activity to monitor the flow of cross-border traffic. Border crossing delays will likely occur over the short term. Temporary shortages of goods remain possible over the coming weeks.