The European Commissioner-designate from Luxembourg, Christophe Hansen, is set to become the next Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, after coming through his hearing with MEPs without a hitch on the evening of Monday 4 November (see EUROPE 13517/2).
The coordinators of the political groups on the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture then met to assess Mr Hansen’s performance. The EPP, S&D, ECR, Greens/EFA and Renew Europe groups are said to have voted in favour of the appointment, while the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) and The Left groups are said to have voted against. The Patriots for Europe group are said to have abstained.
“Our OK refers to both skills assessment and political commitment”, said S&D coordinator Dario Nardella from Italy.
Mr Hansen’s hearing, welcomed by several European farming organisations, was marked by a moment of emotion. After a question about the suffering of farmers, he mentioned the death of his farmer brother, who fell down the stairs last year at the age of 55. “I’m sure it was linked to many factors that affect farmers”, such as “financial difficulties” and fatigue, he said. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)