Janusz Wojciechowski, Commissioner-designate for Agriculture, will have to answer new written questions from MEPs of the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee before a possible second hearing, confirmed several sources on Wednesday 2 October.
After a failed hearing, during which MEPs criticised him for remaining too vague on current agricultural issues, Janusz Wojciechowski will be allowed to resit the exam (see EUROPE 12339/4).
Thus, the main coordinators of the political groups of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee decided, "despite a very poor performance on Tuesday", to "give him a second chance", confides a source. The coordinators of this committee sent additional written questions on several subjects (including greening of aid, reform of the common agricultural policy or trade agreements). Then, on 8 October, they will decide whether or not to convene him for a second hearing. They may also decide not to support his application.
Depending on the instructions of the coordinators of the Committee on Agriculture, the final decision will be taken by the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament.
Herbert Dorfmann (EPP, Italy) said that Mr Wojciechowski had stated "very strange ideas on animal welfare and the ‘Green Deal’".
Ulrike Müller (Renew Europe, Germany) said the candidate for Commissioner was too vague about the CAP and the future of the EU agricultural sector.
For Paolo De Castro (S&D, Italy), the candidate did not reassure the Parliament about the risk of "re-nationalisation" of the CAP.
Janusz Wojciechowski did, however, show himself ready to accept changes to the proposal on the CAP post-2020, but without providing sufficient details and guarantees. He called for tighter controls, a fairer level of direct payments between countries and an "optional" degressivity and cap on aid to large businesses. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)