Arguably the most important dossier, with the largest share of the budget pie, Agriculture Commission-designate Dacian Cioloş should have struggled during his hearing. However, with a background in horticulture he was quick to dismiss the controversy of R

Green-fingered Romanian Minister set to take agriculture post

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Dacian Cioloş   is an expert on agriculture.

Romania’s Commissioner-to-be   is a horticultural engineer

and spent his professional   life in the area,

most notably as his country’s   Agriculture Minister three years ago.

But that has raised doubts   about his nomination.

Romania was sanctioned by the   Commission for mismanagement

However, during his three hour   parliamentary hearing Dacian Cioloş

was able to convince   agro-political voices

from across the political spectrum   of his suitability.

He showed his professionalism,   and his knowledge of the CAP.

He made it clear   he was going to be Commissioner

for the whole of the EU   not just for Romania,

that’s where some of us   had the concerns.

I look forward to working with   him hopefully for the next five years.

He said we need a   strong agricultural policy,

the budget should not be reduced for it.

Also, that Europeans must be able to   sustain themselves by their own means.

Cioloş promised to continue the   reforms begun by his two predecessors,

while at the same time   stressing that a strong CAP

is indispensable to a secure food supply.

As far as the second area of his portfolio   is concerned, rural development,

Cioloş was perceived by many   as perhaps a little more vague.

In response to my question   how he would like to finance

all those things he would like to have   included in the second pillar,

how he wants augment financing for   this second pillar,

the EP finally has an equal say   on the Common Agricultural Policy,

and on how that biggest   single EU budget item is spent.

Again Dacian Cioloş   made all the right noises

indicating his willingness   to fully cooperate with EP

which is scheduled to decide on the new   Commissioners by the end of the month.