Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Luxembourg’s Christophe Hansen was endorsed as the next EU agriculture and food Commissioner.
MEPs have backed Luxembourg’s nominee Christophe Hansen as the next EU agriculture and food Commissioner. The casual vote by the MEPs on Hansen’s performance followed a more than three-hour hearing, with group leaders from the Christian democrats, socialists, conservatives, greens and liberals all voting in acceptance of his confirmation.
how did Hansen reassure Europe’s farming community?
Hansen offered comfort to the farming community throughout his open hearing, stating it had taken to the streets earlier this year because it was supposed unheard. He promised to be a “boots-on-the-ground” Commissioner, dedicated to visiting farms across different member states.
He also recalled his upbringing on a family farm highlighting his first-hand experience with both the rewards and challenges of farming. “I know the good times and the bad times of farming life,” he stated, reflecting on how his family struggled with bureaucracy that kept them from focusing on farm work.
What are Hansen’s views on the Mercosur trade deal?
Regarding the Mercosur agreement, Hansen said he would assume a “balanced approach” to the issue, recognising the agreement’s benefits but also its challenges. He supported fair reciprocity in trade, claiming that European farmers face penalties due to stricter EU production standards compared to those in third countries.
How did Hansen support a strong cap budget?
According to sources, Hansen succeeded in approval with his vigorous defence of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget, particularly its income support for European farmers.
He pushed back against the recent assumption of budget restructuring proposals proposing a merger of the CAP with other EU programs, claiming that the bloc’s farming subsidies programme required its own dedicated budget.
He said that budget cuts for farmers would be catastrophic, especially in light of recent challenges, such as extreme weather events across Europe. “I do not have the crystal ball but we need to put pressure on our national governments if we want a strong CAP that is not amputated from several parts,” he stated.
He was neutral on proposals for an Agri-food Just Transition Fund, a one-off investment support desired to help farmers adopt more sustainable practices, claiming that existing resources should be fully utilised before creating new funds.
