Romania's bid to head European agriculture

Sources in Brussels have revealed that Mariann Fischer Boel, current Agriculture Commissioner, is expected to stand down when the new college of commissioners is selected later this year.  

And with the position up for grabs, Europe’s newest member, Romania, has thrown its hat into the ring.

“We had a meeting today of the Government coalition and the decision was taken that we can make official the candidacy of Mr Dacian Cioloş, former Agriculture Minister, for the commissioner responsible for agriculture,” Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu said in a radio interview on Monday (August 31).

The Agriculture Commissioner is arguably one of the most powerful positions in Brussels, looking after half of the EU’s entire budget.

Mr Diaconescu said it would be difficult to obtain the agriculture portfolio but that Romania would mobilise all its political and diplomatic resources to achieve the goal. 

There is still uncertainly over how many commissioners will be selected in the first place, an issue that will not be resolved until after the Irish have voted on the Lisbon Treaty in October.

And despite rumours of her departure, Mrs Fischer Boel’s future is also not clear. She has been a popular commissioner but is yet to confirm whether or not she will continue for another term.

However, the Romanian Foreign Minister said he would propose Mr Cioloş for the position of Agriculture Commissioner as soon as possible.

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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