The NFU has said it looks forward to working with a strong champion for productive agriculture after the announcement by President Juncker naming Phil Hogan as Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development.
NFU President Meurig Raymond said the NFU would continue to work with MEPs and the new Commissioner to ensure they are fully aware of the priorities of UK farmers over the next five years.
“We expect Mr Hogan will be a strong champion of productive, sustainable agriculture and I look forward to working with him to ensure our farmers are at the centre of a globally competitive industry,” said Mr Raymond. “There are many challenges ahead not least the immediate management of the Russian trade ban and how that impacts on farming across the board.
“In terms of priorities, the last reform of the Common Agriculture Policy, which I firmly believe has been a step in the wrong direction, must be top of the new Commissioner’s agenda. What’s needed now is time to critically evaluate its outcomes, in particular to look at an early review of the current greening measures. I am therefore delighted to hear that President Juncker has asked Mr Hogan to review “the potential for further simplification in the areas of direct payments and in particular as regards greening.”
“Currently, there is also an unprecedented number of trade deals, notably the ongoing EU-US trade discussions and we need to ensure any trade deal ensures the efforts of British farmers are not undermined by imports produced to lower standards.”
“One of the most pressing questions remains the EU’s approach to science. I remain convinced that sound science should be used as the cornerstone of European policy-making and I will be making this point with Mr Hogan at the earliest opportunity.”
