“Protectionism in the EU begins to take on the scale of the system (…) This phenomenon quite strongly spills throughout the Union. This is not a + spikes + individual politicians” – he said during a press conference at the European Parliament CEO Polish Federation of Food Andrzej Gantner.
Representatives of food exporters, chief sanitary inspector Marek Posobkiewicz, head of the agriculture committee PE Czeslaw Siekierski (PSL) spoke to MEPs from different countries to draw their attention to this problem. As Gantner said the idea is that those who are responsible for the EU single market, looked at what happened to him happens.
The argument in this discussion is the report “Non-tariff barriers for Polish food exporters in the European Union” prepared by PWC. It shows that the Czech Republic, Germany and the UK are the three countries where food exporters are usually thrown roadblocks in.
“Polish exporters estimate that more than 30 percent. Products exported to EU countries by picking import barriers, facing discrimination. Medium to defeat them need more than four days. The resulting additional measures estimated to cost at about 4 per cent. of the total value of exports, “- reads the paper PWC.
The authors of the study indicate that the cause of the growing pressure on Polish producers is, paradoxically, their success. Since 2008 the value of Polish food exports increased by almost 70 percent. The total value of food products exported from Polish to other EU countries rose from 8.3 billion euros in 2008 to 13.9 billion in 2014.
“The success of this scale could not remain unnoticed both by local producers food, as well as competition from third countries on major EU markets. manifestation of this is the growing number and stiffness of non-tariff barriers (mostly administrative) and / or press campaigns about the negative overtones against imports of food. Some of these actions are directed directly against Polish products “- the report says.
A negative leader of such actions – according to the analysis carried out on the basis of the declaration Polish producers – are unquestionably the Czech Republic. This is where our exporters meet frequently with an increased frequency of health checks whether the negative press campaigns. “The Czech Republic is a country that clearly set to create barriers” – believes director Gantner.
To our southern neighbor gets 8 percent. Polish exports of food, which is much less than, for example. to Germany, where we sell 29 percent. food products. Polish food, however, gradually increasing its presence in the Czech Republic – last year its share in the local market was over 18 percent.
Another in this regard antyimportowych restrictions are Germany and Spain and to a lesser extent, the United Kingdom and Slovakia. Our exporters do not perceive as a problem in Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Portugal and Romania.
“This report is very alarming. The more that these bad examples begin to spread to other member states” – said during a conference committee member of environmental protection, public health and food safety PE Andrzej Grzyb (PSL, European People’s Party).
Representatives of the manufacturers do not hide that their goal is to bring the discussion on this topic throughout the European parliament to prevent this problem also they saw MEPs from other countries. Then increase the chance for a common position EP in this matter, which could eg. In the form of a resolution to put pressure on the European Commission to look into this closely on this issue.
“No reaction from Brussels (for manifestations of protectionism – PAP) can cause a wave of similar actions by other states” – warned Luke Dominiak from the National Poultry Council.
Poland is currently the seventh largest exporter of food in the EU, ahead of, among others, since 2008 Great Britain and Denmark.
From Brussels Krzysztof Strzępka
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