Poland and Kazakhstan Discussed Agricultural and Food Trade and Market Access Issues

Jacek Czerniak, State Secretary at the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, discussed issues relating to agri-food trade and market access between the two countries with Erzhan Zharylkanov, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Poland. During the meeting, the parties assessed the development of bilateral trade relations, existing trade restrictions and opportunities for cooperation in the agricultural sector.

The Polish side highlighted the importance of agricultural and food trade with Kazakhstan, emphasising that maintaining stable and predictable trade relations between the two countries is of great significance for both producers and trade stakeholders. It was also noted that any new restrictions affecting trade could have adverse economic consequences.

The meeting also addressed existing trade and transit restrictions on certain animal products of Polish origin. The Polish delegation stated that, to resolve these issues, dialogue at a technical level between the veterinary authorities of the two countries needed to be strengthened. Katarzyna Wawrzak, Deputy Director-General of the Polish Veterinary Service, who attended the meeting, also conveyed Poland’s requests regarding a review of the current restrictions.

Deputy Ambassador Erzhan Zharylkanov, representing the Kazakh side, stated that the decisions taken regarding trade policies were aimed at protecting the domestic market and were not directed against any specific country. Zharylkanov also noted that the views and assessments raised by Poland would be forwarded to the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture.

With regard to technical issues in the veterinary field, both sides emphasised the importance of continuing dialogue at expert level. It was noted that the meeting constituted an important exchange aimed at developing agricultural and food trade between the two countries and continuing consultations on the resolution of current issues.

It was reported that the meeting was organised at the initiative of the Polish side.