Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has welcomed the commitment made by Phil Hogan TD during his confirmation hearing to be the next EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development to defend the agriculture budget and reduce the level of red tape for famers.
Mr Hogan was grilled by members of the Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development this week on his suitability for the role.
Mr Nicholson also said that during the hearing a Sinn Fein MEP’s attempt at political point scoring at the expense of Mr Hogan “spectacularly backfired” when the TD read a letter of support from Matt Carthy’s Sinn Fein colleague, Northern Ireland’s Minister of Agriculture.
Commenting on the hearing Jim said:
“Commissioner-designate Hogan’s background growing up on a family farm and representing a rural constituency for many years plus his experience serving as the Republic of Ireland’s Environment Minister means he is well suited to serve as the next EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development.
“During the hearing Mr Hogan clearly demonstrated an excellent knowledge of the many issues relating to the brief.
“In particular I welcome the Commissioner-designate’s commitment to fight for agriculture within the next Commission and to reduce the burden of unnecessary red-tape and bureaucracy on the agri-food industry - a crucial part of the Northern Ireland economy. Mr Hogan’s pledge to improve engagement and cooperation with the European Parliament also bodes well for the future.”
Mr Hogan received the backing of the Committee members, the European Parliament will vote on the new Commission as a whole later this month.
Jim concluded: “The Agriculture Commissioner controls around 38% of the EU’s budget while EU agricultural policy has a major impact on farm businesses, our rural communities and the natural landscape. This is therefore a key portfolio and Mr Hogan is a candidate that MEPs and rural stakeholders can do business with, his appointment to this position is a positive development and I look forward to welcoming him to Northern Ireland in the near future.”