We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.Commissioner-elect vows to reform CAP
THE future of the Common Agricultural Policy looks set to fall into the hands of a CAP reformer, the Romanian commissioner-elect Dacian Ciolos.
Mr Ciolos was interviewd by MEPs today (Friday, January 15) about his suitabliity to take Europe’s top agricultural job.
His first question was about the future of the CAP.
“I’m a reformer,” said Mr Ciolos. “The CAP needs to be reformed and reform does not mean reducing financial support but adapting it to tackle the new challenges,” he said, before laying down his top three priorities.
“European farmers want stability and predictability, European consumers expect safe and healthy food and European taxpayers need assurance that their money is spent in an efficient and transparent way,” he said.
Asked how he would fund his agricultural policy, Mr Ciolos said he would ‘put forward arguments for a well-funded CAP’.
“We can’t build the new CAP without a commensurate budget,” he said.
The commissioner-elect also spoke of his free-market credentials.
“We need regulatory measures not against the market, but to make it function better,” he said, but added: “In certain sectors, subsidies can be maintained.”
Barring any last minute catastrophe, Mr Ciolos will become EU agricultural chief when MEPs vote on January 26.
Richard Ashworth, MEP and Conservative agricultural spokesman in the European Parliament, said he would give the Romanian, who was described by French President Nicholas Sarkozy as ‘France’s second commissioner’, his tentative support.
“I was reassured by the fact that he described himself as a reformer and that he pledged to defend the agricultural budget against competition from other, newer demands being made of Europe.
“However, he will need to prove that he is truly independent from the influence of Nicholas Sarkozy,” said Mr Ashworth.
While Alyn Smith, MEP and Scottish National Party agricultural spokesman, said he would give the commissioner-elect his ‘thumbs up’.
“There can be no doubt that he will represent farmers’ best interests vocally and with determination within the College of Commissioners. When asked about the declining CAP budget he replied that if it was up to him, there would be more money in the pot for European agriculture.
“He was blunt on his feelings towards the purpose of CAP: direct payments have proved their worth. They must stay,” he said.
Mr Smith did, however, raise concern after the hearing of John Dalli, the commissioner-elect for Health and Consumer Policy.
“This part of the Commission has an important role in some areas of farming policy, for instance, on pesticides, EID and animal transport.
“Unfortunately Mr Dalli expressed his wish to see a proposal come forward in one year on the subject of animal transport, a topic that simply refuses to go away,” he said.
