15 Apr 2024 | 04:34 PM UTC
Poland: Farmers' protests likely to continue, particularly at border crossings, through at least late April /update 5
Polish farmers' protests likely to continue at border crossings through late April. Protests planned at all Ukrainian crossings April 18.
Farmers in Poland will likely continue their campaign of road blockade protests through at least late April. The purpose of the action is to denounce EU agricultural policies and the continued import of Ukrainian agricultural products. The most consistent protests will probably occur at border crossing points; however, periodic national-level mobilizations are also likely. Farmers plan to block all border crossings with Ukraine on April 18; organizers have as yet announced no specific start times.
As of April 15, Polish farmers continue to block the Dorohusk-Yahodyn, Dolhobyczow-Uhryniv, and Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska border crossings. Similar actions have also taken place at Korczowa-Krakovets, Zosin-Ustyluh, and Medyka-Shehyni. Additional blockades are possible at the nation's border crossings with little to no warning.
Farmers' groups are continuing their ongoing blockades on the Lithuanian border through April 20. Participants plan to block all road traffic on the DK16 highway in Ogrodniki and the S61 highway junction in Szypliszki 07:00-19:00 daily. On March 31, farmers ended a protest at the Barwinek-Vysny Komarnik border crossing with Slovakia; however, the action may resume with little to no warning.
Blockades and other protests will also likely continue intermittently on Poland's borders with Germany and the Czech Republic. Such actions have primarily impacted the Swiecko-Frankfurt, Gubin-Guben, and Sieniawka-Zittau Chopinstrasse crossings with Germany and the Sieniawka-Hradek nad Nisou crossing with the Czech Republic.
Although farmers mostly target freight trucks, particularly those with Ukrainian license plates, the protests will likely disrupt other types of cross-border vehicular traffice and pedestrian crossings. Authorities will likely maintain a heightened security posture near affected crossings to monitor the situation and minimize disruptions. Alternate border crossings will likely experience increased congestion.
Plan accordingly for freight and passenger transport delays via affected border crossings. Confirm the status of border crossings before traveling or routing shipments; consider using alternative routes to circumvent protest locations. Be prepared for disruptive blockade protests nationwide, particularly on April 18. Check planned travel routes for disruptions before departing. Heed instructions from security services. Leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Do not attempt to pass through any roadblocks set up by protesters; allow police to remove them before proceeding.
