Polish farmers join truckers in protest at Ukraine border against unfair transport competition

November 23, 2023, Medyka, Poland: Hundreds of trucks line up on the side of the road to the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing in Medyka. Polish farmers joined the hauliers' protest at the border crossing with Ukraine. Polish truckers have been protesting against the EU's liberalization of transport rules for Ukrainian trucks at three checkpoints since Nov. 6, causing huge lines on both sides of the border. Farmers from the ''Betrayed Countryside'' (Oszukana Wies) association plan to stage a three-day protest at the Polish-Ukrainian crossing at Medyka. This is the fourth polish border crossing where blockades were erected. .According to EU rules, Ukrainian trucks do not require permits until June 30, 2024, after the EU and Ukraine signed an agreement in June 2022 to liberalize transport rules. Polish truckers claim that the lack of entry permits for Ukrainian trucks is hurting business for Polish hauliers. They also demand a ban on transport companies funded by entities outside the European Union.