Brussels, 02/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - Very well prepared and armed with a multitude of files to come to his aid, Phil Hogan, the commissioner-designate for agriculture and rural development, managed his hearing well before the European Parliament's agriculture committee on Thursday 2 October. His appointment to this post was later confirmed by the agriculture committee - which had to conduct a formal vote at the request of the GUE Group.
Hogan, who is Ireland's former minister for the environment, grew up on a farm (see EUROPE 11155) and is committed to developing a modern, market-oriented and research-based agricultural sector. Among his priorities are the simplification of the common agricultural policy (CAP), especially the rules on greening, and the mid-term review of the CAP.
“My ambition is to positively shape European agriculture and rural development over the next five years”, Hogan stated during his introductory speech. “We are entering a new phase. Only with a stronger and a more competitive agriculture, and stability for our farmers, can we build food security and generate growth and jobs”, he said. “Agriculture is a strategic sector for our society”, he continued, especially as world demand for food is rising.
Simplification. “One of my commitments as new commissioner would be to comprehensively screen the common agricultural policy legislation to see what can be simplified - without putting into question the effectiveness of the policy, nor its sound financial management”, Hogan stated. “After one year of experience with the reform, I intend to review whether our policy, in particular as regards direct payments, is designed in a way that's being properly applied in practice. If not, I will consider what amendments might make them simpler and more efficient. This exercise will, of course, include the arrangement on greening and ecological focus areas (EFA). I will also review geographical indications. And I will also look at the potential to simplify the fruit and vegetable scheme”, he said.
Russian embargo. Hogan admitted that this was a real challenge. “We have tried to stabilise markets and help reorient our exports to other third countries. I will closely monitor how markets evolve. If necessary, I will not hesitate to take appropriate measures”, he stated.
Janusz Wojciechowski (ECR, Poland) questioned Hogan on the arrangements for financing the measures. The credits focus on 2015 and not 2014, Hogan said. “We will have to see how to finance all this. By mid-October we will have the Commission's estimates. The crisis reserve means that money must be taken from all farmers' direct payments. So this is a problem”, he continued. Hogan will work with the college of commissioners to see what can be done.
Milk. In Hogan's view, the abolition of the quotas for dairy will put EU agriculture in a much better position to respond to market signals and global challenges. In response to numerous questions from MEPs - including British MEPs James Nicholson (ECR) and Diane Dodds (NI) - Hogan admitted that there was “quite a lot of volatility, which is worrying. I will use all the measures in the tool box and possibly export refunds, even if they are very costly”. He added that it was not right to change the rules mid-way and he recalled that 20% of EU countries have not reached their quota.
Hogan came across as understanding with regard to jobs in the regions where the end of quotas will pose a problem.
International negotiations. On the transatlantic trade and investment partnership agreement (TTIP), Hogan stated that this agreement would be an important priority. “But it must also be reasonable and balanced. It will not lead to downward pressure for our own production standards, but I intend to maintain essential border protections for the most sensitive sectors”, he said. “We are not going to sacrifice the very high standards that have been set up, in particular since the mad cow crisis”, he said in response to Michel Dantin (EPP, France).
Geographical indications. Answering Eric Andrieu (S&D, France), Hogan committed to strengthening the geographical indications and anti-fraud controls in the case of cross-border infringements. “We are very conscious of this in the trade negotiations with the US, Mexico and Japan”, he said. “We will not give in to the US on geographical indications”, he promised.
The “affairs”. Matt Carthy from Sinn Féin attacked Hogan on various affairs (Irish Water, discriminating against minorities in housing allocation). Hogan replied that he had never contributed to closing an investigation (it was a matter for another ministry than his). The Irish Water €50 million was used for software and material to set up new installations enabling the Irish to have better water quality. This was the subject of an independent assessment. Of the €180 million expenditure, €172 million was controlled, Hogan stated. As regards the letter from Nessa Childers (S&D, Ireland), which brought up Hogan's somewhat discriminatory actions against travellers, he replied: “It seems there may not be a lot of discipline in your party. I hope that you will not regret it”.
Unfair supermarket practices. Mairead McGuinness (EPP, Ireland) questioned Hogan on the unfair practices of supermarkets. He replied that he was ready to present legal instruments if voluntary initiatives (code of conduct) do not work. (LC)