On 2 October 2014, Phil Hogan, Member designate of the EC in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development, appeared before the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Parliament for a hearing to test his general competences, European commitment and specific expertise related to his portfolio. Phil Hogan had the opportunity to make an opening statement, she took part to a question and answer session and made a closing statement.Although the Parliament can only vote on the Commission as a whole, a negative assessment of one of the candidates has in the past already led to the candidacy being withdrawn and replaced. Phil Hogan was Irish Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government.

Brussels

statement

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

hearing

HOGAN, Phil (IE, EC)

2014 Commissioners' hearings (T)

hearing of Phil HOGAN (T)

Hearing of Phil HOGAN (Ireland), Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development: extracts from the statement by Phil HOGAN

Arrival of Phil HOGAN, Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Phil HOGAN, Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development, "I grew up on a farm in rural Kilkenny in South-East Ireland; I was a public representative for 32 years, and I 've dedicated much of my time to understanding and dealing with the issues and concerns of the farming community and those in rural areas."

SOUNDBITE (English), Phil HOGAN, Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development, "The one thing simplification is not, is simple. One of my commitments a new Commissioner would be to comprehensively screen the Common Agricultural Policy legislation, to see what can be simplified."

SOUNDBITE (English), Phil HOGAN, Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development, "Based on this screening, I will develop early in my mandate, ideas for simplification and subsidiarity strategy for the CAP in accordance with general regulatory fitness principles."

SOUNDBITE (English), Phil HOGAN, Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development, "After one year of experience with the reform, I intend to review whether our policy, in particular a regards direct payments, is designed in a way that has been 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 which are commitmentsof the outgoing Commission.'

SOUNDBITE (English), Phil HOGAN, Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development, "Responding to the Russian ban on our agricultural products is the most immediate challenge. This is a challenge we must face together as Europeans. In this area we have rightly shown solidarity with our farming community. We have tried to stabilise markets and help re-orient our exports to other third countries. I will closely monitor how markets evolve, and if necessary I will not hesitate to take appropriate measures."

SOUNDBITE (English), Phil HOGAN, Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development, "I will also keep a close eye on Rural Development Programmes, which the Commission is due to approve in the coming months. With a view to job creation we will focus on sufficient funding for investments, business start-ups and local development in rural areas. This should allow us to strengthen the links between the agricultural sector and the rest of the economy, in particular along the food chain.  <p>I also want agriculture to benefit from the best of research and innovation. That will be my philosophy in the context of Horizon 2020, as I steer the European Innovation Partnership on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability. Those two initiatives I know can boost agricultural productivity and create jobs."</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Phil HOGAN, Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development, "And you will know we have on the horizon the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the United States. This agreement will be an important priority: but it must also be reasonable and balanced: on this point the President-elect Juncker has been very clear. In particular: It will not lead to downward pressure for our own production standards, and I intend to maintain essential border protections for the most sensitive sectors."