A nationwide farmers’ protest against the EU-Mercosur agreement began today in Poland at 10:00 a.m., with protests happening at over 190 locations across the country. Today’s protest is just a prelude. On Jan. 9, 2026, a large farmers’ protest will take place in Warsaw.
“This isn’t a show of support for the government, as the Polish People’s Party (PSL) or the Russian narrative portrayed it yesterday. If we were satisfied with the government’s actions, we wouldn’t have to be here today,” Kamil Szymański, co-organizer of the protest near Żyrardów, told Telewizja wPolsce24.
Farmers from all over Poland took to the roads to protest against a trade agreement with Mercosur countries that is detrimental to European agriculture.
“Today’s campaign is under the slogan ‘Stop Mercosur.’ As farmers, we strongly oppose the signing of the agreement. We refuse to allow products of much lower quality to enter our market. We produce the highest quality food, and it’s unclear why anyone would want to destroy so many years of hard work,’ said Kamil Szymański, co-organizer of the protest near Żyrardów.
“Safeguard clauses cannot protect agriculture because the EU lacks such instruments. This is a ploy to prevent us from protesting. People in Poland say one thing and those in the EU say another. This is not a show of support for the government, as the Polish People’s Party (PSL) or the Russian narrative presented yesterday. If we were satisfied with the government’s actions, we wouldn’t have to be here today,” added Szymański.
“This is a signal protest. We have banners that we will hang on the viaduct so that participants in the movement know why we are protesting,” said one of the protest coordinators, Janusz Terka, in an interview with Telewizja wPolsce24.
“Tractors are parked in such places that they do not obstruct traffic,” he added.
Mercosur could destroy Polish agriculture
Farmers have long warned that signing an agreement with Mercosur countries would mean the annihilation of agriculture across the EU. The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that disruptions to supply chains negatively impact society. If Poland were to lose its own agriculture and the ability to produce healthy food locally, it could find itself in mortal danger, at the mercy of the EU, which could use food rationing as a form of pressure.
🇪🇺🔴The true face of the EU.
Protesting farmers from across the EU are hit with water cannons and tear gas, all while the elite inside the European Commission surround their HQ with barbed wire.
Rule of law has abandoned Brussels.
Notably, these farmers are protesting a… pic.twitter.com/scm7rTMF5O
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) December 18, 2025Farmers and experts point out that having our own food production is a Polish national interest, which must be defended; otherwise, the country’s independence will be threatened. Furthermore, the quality of Mercosur food is a crucial issue, which, according to experts, will lead to an increase in the incidence of serious diseases and the threat of ingesting illegal pesticides and chemicals.
Farmers do not obstruct traffic
Deputy Commissioner Barbara Poznańska from the Częstochowa Municipal Police Headquarters confirmed to PAP that although farmers are protesting in several locations in the Częstochowa district, their actions are not impeding traffic. Farmers gathered in Święta Anna, near the roundabout on provincial road No. 786, near the Volunteer Fire Department station in Łabędź in the Koniecpol commune, in Drochlin in the Lelów commune, in Bolesławów in the Przyrów commune, near the viaduct in Wyrazowo, and near gas stations in Mykanów and Mokrzesz in the Mstów commune.
A similar protest is being conducted near Lubliniec, where farmers gathered near the intersection of DK11 and DK46, on an asphalt technical road.
“They don’t obstruct traffic in any way, they’re located along National Road 46, and they’re visible to passing drivers. Everything is done legally,” Police Officer Monika Wacławek from the Lubliniec police told PAP.
“We want to put pressure on those in power, not make life harder for drivers. We’re fighting not only for the future of Polish agriculture, but also for consumer safety,” said Jakub Buchajczyk, one of the protest leaders.
“Pressure makes sense. It worked on December 18th in Brussels (where a large protest by European farmers took place – PAP). We hope it will work this time too,” he concluded.
