01 Apr 2024 | 01:59 PM UTC
Poland: Farmers' protests likely to continue, particularly at border crossings, through at least mid-April /update 4
Polish farmers' protests likely to continue at border crossings through at least mid-April. Periodic national and local protests likely.
Farmers in Poland will likely continue to stage road blockade protests through at least mid-April. The most consistent protests will probably occur at border crossing points; however, periodic national-level mobilizations are also likely.
On April 4, farmers' groups will conduct coordinated demonstrations at the offices and homes of all parliamentary representatives and senators. Organizers plan to particularly target facilities of politicians who support EU regulations that farmers see as worsening working conditions.
As of March 31, Polish farmers continue to block the Dorohusk-Yahodyn, Dolhobyczow-Uhryniv, and Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska border crossings. Previously impacted crossings include Zosin-Ustyluh and Medyka-Shehyni; farmers also occasionally block trucks at the Korczowa-Krakovets border crossing. Blockades may reform at these crossings with little to no warning.
Farmers' groups are conducting road blockades on the Lithuanian border between March 20-April 20. Farmers intend to block all road traffic on the DK16 highway in Ogrodniki and the S61 highway junction in Szypliszki 07:00-19:00 daily; both roads cross the border with Lithuania. On March 31, farmers ended a protest at the Barwinek-Vysny Komarnik border crossing with Slovakia; however, protests may resume with little to no warning. Farmers are protesting to denounce EU agricultural policies and the continued import of Ukrainian agricultural products.
Border crossing road blockades and protests will likely continue intermittently on Poland's borders with Germany and the Czech Republic through at least mid-April. On the German and Czech borders, blockades typically take place at the Swiecko-Frankfurt, Gubin-Guben, and Sieniawka-Zittau Chopinstrasse crossings with Germany and the Sieniawka-Hradek nad Nisou crossing with the Czech Republic. The actions usually last around 8 hours; protesters typically prevent freight trucks, particularly those with Ukrainian number plates, from crossing the border. Similar actions are possible at other international crossing points with little warning.
Although farmers mostly target freight trucks, the protests will likely disrupt cross-border vehicular and pedestrian traffic. 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 4. 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.
