HOGAN FORMALLY NOMINATED TO BE THE NEXT EU COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE
Phil Hogan has been formally nominated by the President of the EU Commission Jean-Claude Juncker to be the next EU Commissioner for Agriculture.
However his appointment will require ratification by MEPs in the European Parliament in the coming weeks.
The position is one of the most senior in the EU Commission with the Agriculture Budget worth over 60 billion euro between now and 2020.
Phil Hogan says this is a huge honour – and has thanked the Taoiseach for his support.
The nomination is being described as a ‘real coup for Ireland’.
MEP and Vice President of the European Parliament Mairead McGuiness says it’s a positive development for Ireland and a great opportunity to guide agriculture policy and to put food security to the fore.
The Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has also described the news as significant and says it’s recognition of the role the Irish Presidency played in securing a Common Agriculture Policy agreement last year.
The Irish Farmers Association says it is very much looking forward to working with him.
