Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoed the ‘Active Farmer’ bill, sparking criticism from Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski.
Presidential Veto Rationale
President Nawrocki stated the bill, despite its “nice name,” hides “ugly truths” about its provisions. He argued it discriminates against small farmers, requiring complex bureaucracy to prove activity and risking the loss of direct subsidies, potentially leading to the dismantling of family farms by large agribusinesses. Nawrocki emphasized his commitment to defending family agriculture and the constitutional principle of family farms as the basis of the agrarian system.
The President questioned whether a farmer working “from dawn till dusk” becomes “inactive” for not generating sufficient invoices, or if a family farm must become an accounting office. He described the bill not as reform but as a “threat to hundreds of thousands of Polish farming families and national food security.”
Government Response
Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski asserted that the President’s decision showed he was not on the farmers’ side, but rather “those who get rich at the expense of real farmers.” Krajewski claimed to have sought a meeting to explain the bill’s necessity but alleged the President only followed “party instructions from Nowogrodzka.”
The Minister reiterated that the government stands with farmers regardless of the veto and pledged to ensure funds reach active agricultural producers. He noted 91 agricultural organizations participated in consultations on the regulation, which he framed as a response to needs expressed during numerous farmer protests and meetings.
Bill Details and Controversy
The ‘Active Farmer’ bill aimed to improve conditions for producers actively engaged in farming, increasing production planning stability and better utilizing Common Agricultural Policy funds. It defined “active farmers” as those meeting criteria like owning animals or using specific payments/investment support; others would need to document costs or income from agricultural sales.
Proof of activity could include invoices for inputs/agricultural services, insurance confirmations, or sales/rent/contract documents. Agency estimates suggested only about 60,000 farmers might need to prove activity, and by 2026, perhaps only 5%. Transitional rules in 2026 were planned, with farmers receiving direct payments under €1,125 in 2025 automatically considered active in 2026.