The ones who were called to the board themselves, today simply PiS MPs, have not yet boasted about their Monday activities on social media (as of 4:30 p.m.), although they are usually not passive – judging by the published posts.
In return, the current management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development made sure that the public learned about this event. – We cannot leave today's event at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development without comment – said Deputy Minister Stefan Krajewski at a press conference called quickly and unexpectedly on Monday. – I think that MP Gembicka and MP Ciecióra were not directly affected by the flood, so if you are not helping, at least do not interfere , because here in the Ministry of Agriculture we work from dawn to dusk, we are also in the field, (…) we work even on days off (…) to meet with farmers, to raise the most important issues – added the Deputy Minister.
As Stefan Krajewski reported, during Monday's parliamentary intervention, PiS MPs asked a number of detailed questions, leaving several pages of questions regarding the ministry's actions in the context of the flood. In a word – in the opinion of the MARD management – they are trying to disorganize the current work of the ministry.
– We respond to every report and event and this will continue to happen (from the field, related to the flood – editorial note) But it cannot be that someone wants to constantly use the flood only and exclusively for their own particular political interests. This is unacceptable! Today, we all have to help farmers who have been affected by such injustice, and not talk about settlements. Today, these people are not waiting for settlements, they are waiting for real help, which we are preparing – said Deputy Minister Krajewski during the conference.
And he added:
– Once again, my request to all opposition representatives: our ministry is open and we want to talk, but to find solutions, and not just to take up the time of the ministry's employees and management . (…) Preparing answers to the questions left by PiS MPs is certainly not a priority for us today, because this is about helping affected farmers and restoring so-called normality as quickly as possible.
Not 68, but 80 thousand hectares of agricultural land affected by flooding
Deputy Minister Adam Nowak informed at the same conference that according to the latest estimates, not 68, but 80 thousand hectares of agricultural land were affected by the flood in southern Poland. Of this, over 25 thousand agricultural plots are currently used for crop production, mainly corn for grain, also some corn for silage, soy, potatoes and sugar beets.
He also informed about the types of aid being prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture for flood victims, repeating what was said, among others, at last week's conference by Minister Siekierski:
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Farmers affected by flooding will receive aid in October
But he also added: – The actions of MP Ciecióra and MP Gembicka are unacceptable at a time when current work is underway, helping those who have been affected by the effects of a natural disaster. Unfortunately, they are representatives of the political environment that has destroyed the system of population protection and civil defense, withdrawing the regulations that regulated this assistance. Today, it is hypocritical to attack us, the Ministry of Agriculture, for any negligence in this matter, because I want to note that we took action quickly and immediately within the institutions subordinate to us and supported the actions taken by the rescue services.
– There is a time for rescue, there is a time for work, the time will come to assess who is to blame for this state of affairs. However, this is certainly not the current stage and it is not a matter for today – emphasized Deputy Minister Nowak.
He added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will also analyze at the appropriate time how KPO funds were used in recent years for activities related to retention, drought and flood prevention . – But the time for that will come when we help farmers – he stated.
The Deputy Minister stressed that today is the most valuable time – to restore the potential of Polish villages in flood-affected areas.
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Who will pay for this? No disaster commissions, soaked crops to be disposed of
And what do MPs Ciecióra and Gembicka say about this?
– The nervous reaction to the inspection at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is not surprising. It only confirmed that the government knew about the approaching disaster, and in addition there are no specifics regarding aid for farmers. We will present everything calmly soon together with Anna Gembicka – wrote MP Ciecióra in a post on platform X after 5 p.m.
– Minister Stefan Krajewski attacked me and Krzysztof Ciecióra for coming to the MRIRW to check what actions were REALLY taken to help farmers who suffered during the flood. And as you can see, this visit was very much needed, because Minister Krajewski: did not know whether the MRIRW was submitting proposals for statutory aid for farmers to the flood act to be adopted by the Government; (…) was unable to answer whether, in accordance with the MRIRW announcement, the state would buy flooded agricultural produce from farmers. Minister – yes, farmers are waiting for real aid. So finally get to work and adopt appropriate regulations to pay out this aid as soon as possible! We have made the act on aid for flood victims for you, we have prepared proposals for solutions for farmers for you – here you do not need political appearances, only honest work! – we read in the entry on the X MP Anna Gembicka.
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Assistance for farmers affected by the flood will be coordinated by ODRs