Agriculture minister calls farmers 'suckers'

Marek Sawicki: photo - consilium.europa.eu

When asked about farmers selling apples for only 12 groszy (3 euro cents) a kilogram, after the Russian EU food ban cut off one of their largest export markets, Minister Sawicki told the mPolska24.pl web site: “They are suckers [frajerzy]. I have respect for businessmen, not suckers.”

“Given that we proposed in mid-August a way to bypass the market, by offering 27 groszy for apples, if the suckers are taking their apples for processing for 12-14 groszy, it is their choice,” he said.

The opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party called for the minister’s resignation and the Democratic Left Alliance's (SLD) Włodzimierz Czarzasty said the minister's comments were “scandalous and unjust,” as well as accusing Sawicki of being responsible for the poor state of the agricultural sector.

Sawicki later issued an apology but added that “there is no need” for his resignation over the matter.

Deputy Prime Minister Janusz Piechociński, who also leads the junior coalition partner, Polish Peasants’ Party (PiS) defended Sawicki, a party colleague, however.

“Marek Sawicki committed an error saying that word [sucker] for which he has apologised. But it was certainly not his intention – a man whose family have been farmers for generations, who is a doctor of the agricultural sciences - to offend anyone,” Janusz Piechociński said. (sl/.pg)

source: PAP, TVN 24