For more than two decades, Poland has seen a steady inflow of city dwellers moving to the countryside. While this trend revitalizes rural demographics, it has also sparked growing conflicts between traditional farming communities and newcomers, who often object to the realities of agricultural production. With disputes escalating, the government is preparing a new law on the productive function of villages to safeguard food security and prevent future reliance on imports.
Migration Fuels Tensions
In 2000, rural areas saw a modest net gain of 4,200 people due to internal migration. By 2024, that balance had surged to +42,400 people, reflecting a strong shift toward rural living.
However, many new residents view villages primarily as quiet enclaves of nature, rather than working agricultural landscapes. This leads to clashes with farmers over noise, odors, and working hours that have long been inherent to farming.
“Milk, pork, or beef aren’t produced on trees; they are produced in barns and farms. These are living facilities with their own sounds and smells. Unfortunately, new residents find them disturbing, and that’s the root of many conflicts,” said Piotr Włodawiec, senior partner at law firm Prokurent.
Court Cases Highlight the Issue
A recent case involved Szymon Kluka, a farmer near Łódź, sued by neighbors over odors from his pig farm. He lost in both lower courts, and the Supreme Court rejected his cassation appeal, leaving him liable for over PLN 110,000 (approx. €25,000) in damages.
“If a farmer operates in compliance with environmental permits, building approvals, and zoning plans, he should not be sued for so-called emissions,” argued Włodawiec.
Another farmer, Paweł Kaszkowiak, has spent over a decade trying to secure a permit for a pig farm in Strzelno. Despite winning court battles, municipal authorities refused approval, causing him to lose subsidies and face mounting investment costs.
Legislative Response: Law on the Productive Function of Villages
In response, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has launched work on new legislation, already in the legislative process. The goal is to shield farmers from lawsuits by residents who refuse to accept the inherent realities of agriculture, such as harvest-time noise, late-night work, or odors. Discussions are underway with other ministries, including Justice, to create a comprehensive solution.
“The law on the productive function of villages could change a lot. Cases like those of Kluka and Kaszkowiak have shown lawmakers that reforms are urgently needed,” said Włodawiec.
European Context: Lessons from France
Similar challenges exist in Western Europe. In 2023, France passed a law protecting farmers from lawsuits over agricultural sounds and smells. The French parliament also moved to recognize rural sounds—roosters crowing, frogs croaking, church bells—as part of the nation’s cultural heritage, even seeking UNESCO recognition.
“France adopted a simple principle: if the farmer was there first and operates legally, newcomers cannot sue for agricultural noises and odors. That’s the model we should consider,” Włodawiec explained.
Beyond Law: Education and Awareness
The Union of Meat Producers and Employers (UPEMI) stresses that legal reforms alone are insufficient. Social education is essential to raise awareness about the realities of food production and rural life.
“Farmers’ position would be stronger if lawsuits over emissions were barred. But regulations must balance local contexts: some areas are tourism-focused, others, like Żuromin, are centers of intensive production. Without forward-looking rules, food production will stagnate, and protests will continue against nearly every new investment,” Włodawiec warned.
Currently, public consultation rules allow not only immediate neighbors but also residents from other municipalities and NGOs to challenge farm projects, complicating agricultural development.
Food Security at Stake
Experts caution that if Poland fails to enable farm modernization and expansion, domestic food production will decline, forcing the country to import food in the future.
The new law aims to prevent that outcome by reaffirming the countryside’s role as a food production base, balancing the rights of farmers and newcomers, and ensuring that rural Poland remains both a place to live and a place to produce.
