New EU Agriculture Commissioner given 100 days to prepare vision for sector

The new EU Agriculture Commissioner has been given 100 days to prepare a vision for the EU Agriculture and Food sectors.

Luxembourg’s Christophe Hansen is to be the next European Agriculture Commissioner after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen named her new team of commissioners.

Hansen’s appointment is widely seen as a win for the European People’s Party (EPP) political grouping in Europe, which is said to have coveted the position after farmer unrest across Europe earlier this year over EU agriculture policy.

In her mission letter to Hansen, Von der Leyen tasked him with developing, in the first 100 days, a vision for agriculture and food, working under her guidance and in coordination with other commissioners.

She said this should look at how to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of our farming and food sector, which is “within the boundaries of our planet”.

As part of the vision, Hansen has been told to ensure that the Common Agricultural Policy is fit for purpose in order to provide targeted support to farmers who need it, most notably small-scale farmers.

Von der Leyen said the CAP should also promote positive environmental and social outcomes through rewards and incentives for ecosystem services and to support the right enabling conditions for thriving rural areas.

She said the CAP should be simpler, targeted and find the right balance between incentives, investments and regulation.

Hansen was also told to ensure farmers have a fair and sufficient income and to strengthen farmers’ position within the food-value chain, notably to ensure they are not forced to systematically sell their products below the production costs.

On sustainability, Von der Leyen told Hansen to propose an EU-wide benchmarking system in the agri-food sector and explore possibilities to support the organic farming sector.

Hansen has also been tasked with presenting a strategy for generational renewal in agriculture, notably supporting family farms and young farmers to access capital to prepare for the future.

He will also focus on strengthening Europe’s food sovereignty and has been told to work closely with other commissioners to look at ways to further diversify and reduce imports of critical inputs and commodities.

Reporting on:independent.ie

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