President Andrzej Duda is on a visit to Ukraine. Today – as part of the political agenda – he will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Dmytro Razumkov.

At 10:30 AM, the Senate Legislative Committee will consider amendments to the Animal Protection Act, the so-called "Five for Animals." At 4:00 PM, the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development will review the proposal. These are the last committee meetings before the bill is debated at tomorrow's session of the upper house.

- We are experiencing the second wave of the pandemic. On the one hand, we still have many free beds and equipment like ventilators reserved for individuals affected by Covid, but on the other hand, concerning healthcare resources, doctors, and nurses, the situation indeed needs to be monitored. This is why we have solutions at the provincial coordination level, managing patient transport and relocation - said Michał Dworczyk in an interview with Katarzyna Gójska on "Sygnały dnia" on Polish Radio Jedynka.

- I believe, as you rightly pointed out, that this second sphere, or rather the second area of Vice Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński's activity, is underestimated. A committee whose purpose will be to coordinate inter-ministerial cooperation on security and defense, to review projects and various normative acts related to security, or to undertake initiatives in this area – this is an extremely important body that has been missing from the Polish political system – said Michał Dworczyk on Radio Jedynka.

- I think that when it comes to equipment, to beds, we have plenty of them, and I wouldn't worry that there would be a shortage of equipment and beds for patients suffering from coronavirus. Certainly, the bottleneck is medical personnel. These are years of neglect, but we know that we will unfortunately need more and more doctors, anesthesiologists, and anesthesiology nurses from day to day. That is why we want the places where these most severely ill patients are admitted, i.e., those requiring intensive care unit (ICU) specialized anesthesiology care, to be quite concentrated in certain locations. That is, we want this medical personnel to be grouped where there are the most ICU beds. Then it is definitely easier to utilize the staff we currently have - stated Waldemar Kraska in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News' "Graffiti".

„Yesterday, I listened to the voice of the 'total opposition,' which criticizes everything and accuses the government. The government is doing everything it possibly can. The Crisis Management Centre holds meetings daily. Everything is analyzed in a scientific manner. It's not intuitive, and the data isn't plucked from thin air; rather, it's all based on medical knowledge” – said Stanisław Karczewski in an interview with Michał Rachoń on TVP Info.

Indeed, the restrictions that have been introduced, namely the obligation to wear masks, I hope will unfortunately yield results only in about 7-10 days, meaning it will happen in a dozen or so days that will be epidemiologically very important. I think that the fact that we are increasingly thinking about distancing ourselves and wearing masks will bring an effect. The whole world keeps repeating this, about these simple methods, but we forget about them - stated Waldemar Kraska in an interview with Marcin Fijołek in "Graffiti" Polsat News.

- As Poles, we are very attached to this holiday [All Saints' Day]. We want to visit the graves of our loved ones. Practically every one of us has such graves in different places across the country at various times. Therefore, I appeal for us not to do this on November 1st or 2nd, but to spread it out to a week earlier or a week later. I think Poles are such a wise nation that they will heed these recommendations so that we don't visit them en masse on November 1st - stated Waldemar Kraska in an interview with Marcin Fijołek on Polsat News's "Graffiti".

- We don't have elections ahead of us. We could truly cooperate nicely, but I also expect to be treated differently than in April. In April, we worked on the anti-crisis shield, and later there were late-night additions regarding the liquidation of the Social Dialogue Council and postal voting, which is why I don't trust this meeting today. I am waiting for an invitation and also for a response to our conditions. Will the bill to liberalize trade on Sundays be considered and passed, because that will allow for the dispersal of truly congested shops - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with Beata Michniewicz on Radio Trójka's "Political Salon".

- This deepens my disappointment. If someone wants to spend 8-10 billion, I don't really know the exact amount that will be stipulated in this act, annually for several years, for eliminating an industry that is currently profitable, and I'm talking about ritual slaughter, then this act primarily concerns that, - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on Radio Trójka. - Today, we are submitting a motion to reject this act in its entirety, - he added.

- I will urge Mr. President to do two things. First, to veto this law. Second, to demonstrate his effectiveness and strength within the ruling camp, ensuring this veto is respected. Because if he only vetoes the law, and the veto is rejected by PiS, it will mean that President Duda means nothing to PiS - said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on Radio Trójka.

“Nothing can be ruled out today, no scenario of events, looking at the dynamic increase in infections. Our southern neighbors have already gone in this direction [of a state of emergency]. For now, we are not considering such a scenario. We have adopted several COVID laws that allow the state to function in this difficult situation of fighting the pandemic. We hope that actions taken within the scope of current regulations, current law, will be sufficient,” said Michał Dworczyk, head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, in an interview with Dominika Wielowieyska on Poranek Radia TOK FM.

The Ministry of Health has reported 4,394 new cases of coronavirus infection in Poland. Tragically, 35 individuals have succumbed to the virus. This information was shared via the official Ministry of Health Twitter account: https://twitter.com/mz_gov_pl/status/1315570508595900418?s=21

- We are mainly in contact with the EU, because it is a large tender and the companies producing vaccines are at roughly similar stages, so whether the vaccine comes from Europe or the USA, I think it will be around the same time. We have already signed agreements and are just waiting for the vaccine to arrive. We will immediately direct it, initially of course, to the groups at highest risk, i.e., healthcare professionals and the elderly, and then successively for the rest of Poles. I think there will be enough vaccines for all Poles to be vaccinated - stated Waldemar Kraska in an interview with Jacek Prusinowski on Radio Plus.

- I am also an optimist. I think late December, early January is when it will appear. Although everything depends on the progress... We have such declarations, but it all depends on clinical trials. If complications arise, no one will allow a vaccine that has not been fully tested and is not safe into circulation for wider use. So, the vaccine must not only be effective but also safe. We must have almost 100% certainty that the vaccine we will use is safe for Poles - the Deputy Minister of Health continued.

“[The Prime Minister is inviting] us to discuss various aspects of protection and whether to increase restrictions or not. That is the first point. Secondly, the opposition is demanding talks and an invitation from the Prime Minister, so [the Prime Minister] is inviting them. As a curiosity – there is also a coalition meeting this evening, the coalition council. We will see what happens after the government reshuffle. Issues still remain to be discussed: deputy ministers, so this will be happening today,” – said Deputy Speaker Ryszard Terlecki from PiS in an interview with journalists in the Sejm. 

„[Przemysław Czarnek told me that he feels] Great and that his quarantine period probably ends on Wednesday. He should be active by the end of the week. I don't know if [he'll receive the nomination] this week” - said PiS Deputy Speaker Ryszard Terlecki in a conversation with journalists in the Sejm. 

„I don't think now [is the time for introducing a state of emergency]. As we observe other countries, where a state of emergency has been introduced, it hasn't changed much overall – in Slovakia or the Czech Republic. Perhaps if the situation worsened significantly, such a necessity might arise” – said Deputy Marshal Ryszard Terlecki of PiS in an interview with journalists in the Sejm. 

- These last five months were a time to draw conclusions. It was a time when, outside of the normal public procurement system, additional respirators, masks, vaccines, and tests could have been purchased. It was a time that was a test for the Polish government, and today I must admit with great sadness that the Polish government simply failed this test of preparing Poland for the second wave of coronavirus infections - said Cezary Tomczyk during a press conference in the Sejm. - Today, we are submitting a clear request. I am submitting it today to the Marshal's office, to Madam Marshal Witek, on behalf of Civic Coalition, a request for an extraordinary and urgent Sejm session concerning the strategy to combat the coronavirus. Such a meeting is urgently needed today. It is needed because every Pole, man and woman, must know the truth about what the government did, and in many cases what it did not do, over the last five months. I am submitting the same request on behalf of Civic Coalition to the Marshal of the Senate, Mr. Marshal Grodzki, because a Senate session will take place in the coming days, and I would like such an item to be included on the agenda as early as Wednesday this week - he added.

I am glad that despite the fact we are still battling the coronavirus pandemic, the President still upheld the invitation. We, on our part, did everything to ensure the utmost safety for the Polish delegation. It seems to me that this is also an important signal for global diplomacy, that despite the coronavirus, it is possible. However, diplomacy conducted online is not the same as direct international contacts – said President Andrzej Duda during his meeting with the President of Ukraine. 

We have clearly indicated further cooperation in the joint statement, the joint declaration, which we have just signed, demonstrating our stance on current relations between Poland and Ukraine. This encompasses the most important issues, beginning with economic matters, moving through political issues and those related to security, which are so crucial today in the present times we live in, and extending to historical matters, which I deeply believe will lead our nations towards deepening good neighborly and friendly ties - stated President Andrzej Duda during a meeting of the Presidents of Poland and Ukraine. https://twitter.com/KSzczerski/status/1315606380934557697

- Poland stands with Ukraine regarding Ukraine's borders. Regarding the matter that these borders should be restored in the form in which they are internationally recognized – said President Andrzej Duda during a meeting of the presidents of Poland and Ukraine.

- This also means the return of Ukrainian state control over Crimea. I want to strongly emphasize this once again. The issue of Crimea is also extremely important here. We hold a clear stance that Crimea is currently occupied – he added.

- We also, of course, spoke about the aforementioned historical issues. This is a very important element for both our nations. There are many difficult elements there, although as I mentioned, there is also a painful shared past. I personally honored that yesterday in Bykownia. However, today we discussed elements that constitute painful wounds both in the body of Polish society, in the memory of previous generations, as well as painful issues in Ukraine too. But I believe that we will navigate these stages of building historical memory together, harmoniously, and with respect for the memory and history of both our nations. The President and I will strive to implement precisely this kind of policy in the space of the coming years of our cooperation in a delicate and wise manner - said President Andrzej Duda during a meeting of the Presidents of Poland and Ukraine. 

“We want cooperation, normality, dialogue, especially in the area of threats to the safety, life, and health of Poles. This must be based on truth, not propaganda. The government and the Prime Minister must end the 'success propaganda' in the fight against Covid and move to real actions. The last few months have been wasted. A pandemic plan, which would be implemented in a negative scenario, has not been prepared, and we are currently in that scenario” - said PSL leader Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference.

„Stop work on this bill. We will end it in the Senate. When it returns to the Sejm, this work should not be continued. It can be postponed, and in fact, withdrawn. We demand PiS withdraw from work on Kaczyński's five. Today in the Senate, we will submit a motion to reject this bill in its entirety” - said the leader of PSL, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, at a press conference.

„A measure of civilizational development is not only raising prosperity, income, and earnings. It is, above all, but also our sensitivity, our sensitivity to the world around us, to our fellow human beings, but also to nature and the natural environment. Also within the framework of the natural environment and nature, to animals. We are responsible for everything that surrounds us, and we should shape the conditions of keeping and breeding in such a way that, on the one hand, we alleviate the suffering of animals. On the other hand, we genuinely support Polish agriculture in its development. Humanitarianism is not a weakness. The humanitarian treatment of animals is our strength, the strength of responsibility” – Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said at a press conference.

"We have conducted very broad consultations and want to propose certain changes to the proposed bill. However, this does not mean we intend to abandon the fundamental condition, which is the humane treatment of animals. We are aware that agriculture operates in a specific form, and therefore we want certain changes to address the proposals we have heard from farmers. We are preparing the legislation in such a way that it simultaneously addresses these several needs," Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated at a press conference.

„We are proposing changes to the animal protection act. Primarily, a State Animal Protection Inspectorate will be established, possibly by a separate law if necessary, very quickly, in a very short period of time. This was a point of contention for many people. This new SAIP will be the only entity with the right to verify the methods of raising and breeding animals, and the treatment of animals” – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference.

„The second matter – the vacatio legis, meaning the extension of the act's entry into force until January 2022. We will propose such a vacatio legis and want to do it so that producers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and breeders can better prepare – both in relation to fur animals and the so-called ritual slaughter” – he added. 

„The third point is compensation for those entrepreneurs, agricultural producers, farmers, and breeders who will not manage to switch to another type of production. This particularly applies to producers and breeders of fur animals. After 2021, i.e., from January 2022, we will develop appropriate compensation mechanisms” – the Prime Minister stated.

- Regarding the compensation system, a commission has been established in our ministry since last Friday, which is preparing a draft on how it would apply. We want it to primarily concern those who are losing profits due to the introduction of the act, and above all, entrepreneurs and farmers – said Grzegorz Puda during a joint press conference with the Prime Minister.

- There is still this issue of differences between direct slaughter of poultry and the slaughter of cattle. Ladies and gentlemen, it so happens that farmers who have cattle can benefit from many other subsidies, which we cannot say about the possibilities for poultry breeders. Therefore, many changes have also been dictated by the fact that ritual slaughter for poultry is indeed permitted - said Grzegorz Puda during a joint press conference with the Prime Minister. 

- Political games or squabbles should not occur. I appeal here to the representatives of one opposition party in particular to put their vituperation aside for other times. We have many years ahead of us, three years until the next election. There is really no point in trying to throw a spanner in the works today for actions that are accepted by practically all epidemiologists - said Mateusz Morawiecki during a press conference.

- We will be proposing changes in the coming days, literally. It's not impossible that not at the nearest one, but at the subsequent one; in fact, I will say this: it is almost certain that the entire law will be presented at the next government session, it will be ready, and we will expedite its passage. We're talking about a few weeks regarding the legislative process and a swift, truly swift implementation, let's say from next year, let's say from January 1, 2021 - said Mateusz Morawiecki during a press conference.

„In a short time, we will not train new doctors. We can act by redeploying medical personnel, as happened last week. A system for young medics will be established in the near future. As we talk with experts, those medics after the 4th year of specialization are individuals fully responsible for patient care, fully educated” - said the Ministry of Health spokesperson, Wojciech Andrusiewicz, in an interview with „Gość Wydarzeń” on Polsat News.

- This is a set of amendments following discussions with farmers and listening to their voices. I hope they will be well received not only by farmers but also by our opposition colleagues. The Senate will decide in what final version the act will return to the Sejm - said the Minister of Agriculture, Grzegorz Puda, on Gość Wiadomości.

"In reality, these amendments, like the entire bill, somewhat cut across political divides. It turns out that animal welfare isn't a matter of political squabbles, but about one's approach to life, not just human life, and about a humanistic perspective. It seems a consensus has been reached," said Grzegorz Puda on Gość Wiadomości.

- It's known that the farming community is different from the urban community, and we want to reconcile this. We want farmers to be proud to be farmers and to be able to produce in Poland under good conditions - said Grzegorz Puda on Gość Wiadomości.

"It is worth emphasizing that one of the priorities will be ensuring that small farmers can receive more European funds. Currently, the situation is that the larger one is, the more funds one has the right to receive. The aim is for EU funds to also reach small farmers," said Grzegorz Puda on Gość Wiadomości.

- I have one fundamental regret regarding this team, which is that the entire summer was practically slept through, that there is practically no strategy, just a 'save yourself if you can,' a kind of defense of Częstochowa. One can only pray that there will be enough beds in hospitals. I resent that instead of contemplating an entire strategy for combating or, as it were, preventing this little disease, they occupied themselves with elections and matters of that sort – said Paweł Kukiz in an interview with Monika Olejnik on "Kropka nad i" on TVN24.

- Also, through its stance, where at one point the government began to contest or, as it were, claim that the coronavirus doesn't exist, that we've already defeated it, which obviously had electoral undertones, it caused groups to emerge now that truly greatly underestimate the possibilities of infection - Paweł Kukiz said on TVN24.

I will certainly not vote for a law that could lead to bureaucratic impunity. Certainly. There are also provisions in criminal law concerning the state of higher necessity, etc., etc. If someone acted in a state of higher necessity, they will be able to defend themselves - Paweł Kukiz said on TVN24.

-- LIVEBLOG 300POLITYKI: PUDA HOPES FOR A POSITIVE RECEPTION OF THE MODIFIED "PIĄTKA" PROPOSALS BY THE OPPOSITION HEALTH MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON ON THE REDEPLOYMENT OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL KUKIZ ON THE "SAVE YOURSELF IF YOU CAN" STRATEGY https://300polityka.pl/live/2020/10/12/ ***** POLSAT EVENTS -- POLICE ARE STRICT ON THE ISSUE OF MASKS; THE NUMBER OF FINES FOR NOT WEARING THEM HAS INCREASED TENFOLD IN RECENT DAYS. -- ONLY ABOUT A THOUSAND SCHOOLS HAVE DECIDED TO IMPLEMENT REMOTE AND HYBRID LEARNING. -- THE GOVERNMENT IS RESPONDING TO FARMERS' CONCERNS REGARDING THE ANIMAL PROTECTION LAW; COMPENSATION WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOME RESTRICTIONS HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO 2022, AND A STATE ANIMAL PROTECTION INSPECTORATE WILL BE ESTABLISHED. -- AFTER MANY DAYS OF TURMOIL, FARMERS' PROTESTS, AND A COALITION CRISIS, ON THE EVE OF THE SENATE DEBATE ON THE FUR LAW, THE PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES A SIGNIFICANT SOFTENING OF IT - Mira Skórka. -- THE BIGGEST CHANGE CONCERNS POULTRY; THE GOVERNMENT WISHES TO RETAIN THE POSSIBILITY OF RITUAL SLAUGHTER OF THESE ANIMALS - Skórka continues. -- THE PRIME MINISTER ALSO PROPOSES EXTENDING THE VACATIO LEGIS TO TWO YEARS; ADDITIONALLY, FARMERS WHO CLOSE THEIR BUSINESSES ARE TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION - Skórka. -- SOFTENING THE NEW LAW IS INTENDED TO APPEASE FARMERS AND SOME OF THE PIS SENATORS WHO ARE CONCERNED - Skórka continues. ***** TVN FAKTY -- PIS POLITICIANS ARE NO LONGER RULING OUT THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EPIDEMIC MAY MEAN THE NECESSITY OF INTRODUCING A STATE OF DISASTER, WHICH WOULD LEAD TO FURTHER RESTRICTIONS - in the preview. -- NEITHER DOCTORS NOR RULERS CLAIM THAT EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL ANYMORE - Krzysztof Skórzyński. -- APPEAL FROM SCIENTISTS OF THE POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. -- IT IS NO COINCIDENCE THAT PIS POLITICIANS, WHO KNOW THE DETAILS OF GOVERNMENT DECISIONS BEHIND THE SCENES, ARE SAYING FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THE TERM "STATE OF EMERGENCY" IS NO LONGER AN ABSTRACT CONCEPT - Skórzyński. -- A STATE OF DISASTER WOULD ALLOW FOR MORE RESTRICTIONS THAN CURRENTLY IMPOSED - Skórzyński. -- THE OPPOSITION WANTS TO DISCUSS THE STATE OF DISASTER WITH THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE MINISTER OF HEALTH TOMORROW - Skórzyński: Opposition politicians want the meeting to be broadcast and open. -- KO'S MOTION FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEJM SESSION. -- THE OPPOSITION WANTED A PUBLIC DEBATE LAST WEEK, BUT PIS BLOCKED THE MOTION - Skórzyński. -- CORONAVIRUS IS THE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR TWO TEACHERS. -- PRESSURE MAKES SENSE - SAY THE FARMERS WHO ANNOUNCED MAJOR PROTESTS AGAINST THE ANIMAL PROTECTION LAW - preview: The Prime Minister announced changes to the bill. -- IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE LAW WILL BE SCRAPPED - Kraśko continues. -- IT WAS A SURPRISING AND PREEMPTIVE MOVE - Paweł Płuska on the conference and the Prime Minister's announcements. -- IN THE SENATE, AN ATTEMPT TO BALANCE COMPETING INTERESTS: BETWEEN ANIMAL PROTECTION AND INDUSTRY - Płuska. -- FARMERS CAN FEEL SATISFIED - Płuska. -- JAN KRZYSZTOF ARDANOWSKI CAN ALSO BE PLEASED - Płuska on the former minister's letter. -- IN KRAKOW AND WARSAW, RALLIES IN DEFENSE OF MORAWIEC. A HEARING IN THE DISCIPLINARY CHAMBER - in the preview. -- MORAWIEC'S DEFENDERS HAVE NO DOUBT: THIS IS ZIOBRO'S REVENGE FOR HER CRITICISM AND THE CIVIL LAWSUIT THAT MORAWIEC FILED AGAINST ZIOBRO AND WON - Maciej Knapik. ***** TVP WIADOMOŚCI -- ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF ANIMALS WITHOUT HINDERING AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT - on the front page. -- THE PRESIDENT SPOKE WITH ZELENSKYY. -- DECLARATION ON STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP - News from Kyiv. -- STRATEGIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION; UKRAINE WANTS TO ALLOW POLAND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRIVATIZATION OF ITS ENERGY SECTOR AND TO GRANT PGNIG ACCESS TO TRADE INFORMATION ABOUT ENTERPRISES - in the preview. -- THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO AVOID REPEATED ECONOMIC SHUTDOWNS AND APPEALS TO CITIZENS - in the preview. -- 50% OF BEDS FOR CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS ARE OCCUPIED - Jałtuszewski. -- GREAT BRITAIN IS NOT RULING OUT ANOTHER ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN - Jałtuszewski on restrictions in other countries. -- THERE WILL BE CHANGES TO THE "PIĄTKA DLA ZWIERZĄT" (FIVE FOR ANIMALS) - banner. -- A COMPROMISE BETWEEN ANIMAL WELFARE AND THE INTERESTS OF FARMERS AND ENTREPRENEURS - Marcin Szypszak. -- THE CHANGES ARE A RESPONSE TO FARMERS' EXPECTATIONS - Szypszak. -- INITIAL POLITICAL AGREEMENT IN THE EU ON SANCTIONS FOR LUKASHENKO. -- NEUTRALIZATION OF AN UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE IN ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 3 TONS OF TNT. -- WITNESS TESTIMONIES IMPLICATE MORAWIEC - banner. -- SHE DID NOT APPEAR AT THE DISCIPLINARY CHAMBER SESSION, ALTHOUGH SHE PROTESTED IN FRONT OF THE COURT BUILDING; WITNESS TESTIMONIES IMPLICATE THE JUDGE - Konrad Wąż. -- BEFORE THE VERDICT WAS DELIVERED, SHE MET WITH THE ACCUSED - Wąż. -- SHE SAID I SHOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING ANYMORE - witness. -- MATERIAL BENEFIT IN THE FORM OF A MOBILE PHONE "FOR A FAIR VERDICT" - Wąż on the testimonies. -- THE TESTIMONIES INDICATE THAT SHE HELPED IN SECURING CONTRACTS FOR HER BROTHER - Wąż. -- COLLEAGUES IN ROBES STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH JUDGE MORAWIEC - Wąż. -- DONALD TRUMP APPRECIATES POLES -- THIS IS ANOTHER IN A SERIES OF IMPORTANT DECISIONS BY TRUMP REGARDING POLES - in the preview on the recognition of Pułaski. -- IGA IS GIGA! - banner.