Head of EU agriculture steps down

Mrs Fischer Boel, 66, became head of EU agriculture in 2004 and has made it her mission to phase out agricultural subsidies and modernise the CAP to encourage farmers to respond to market signals.

Instead of subsidies she said farmers should be rewarded for looking after the environment and tackling climate change.  

But at an informal meeting of agricultural ministers in Vaxsjo, Sweden, yesterday (Sunday, September 13), and after one term in the top job she said she was stepping down because of her age and to spend more time with her family. 

Her decision will prompt a fierce battle between member states to supply the next agriculture commissioner.

Romania has been quickest off the mark putting forward Dacian Cioloş, a former agriculture minister, as their candidate to take over the agriculture portfolio.

France has already hinted that it will support the Romanian candidate to take arguably one of the most powerful positions in Brussels.

The next agriculture commissioner will be in the box seat to negotiate the future of agriculture post-2013 as the CAP comes up for its next review and will be in control of nearly half the entire EU budget.

Romanian farmers currently only receive a quarter of subsidies claimed by Western farmers and one goal would be to rebalance the payments in their favour.

According to the Swedish EU presidency, the full list of commissioners, to be approved by the European Parliament, should be ready byOctober 25-26. 

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