EU agriculture commissioner: Who wants the hot potato?

Agriculture was a hot topic in the run-up to the European Parliament election, with parties making promises of better pay for farmers, a tougher stance on trade and less red tape on subsidies.  

Notably, the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) crowned itself as the "farmers’ party," and even European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen rekindled her interest in farming as her term came to an end. 

But as the election glow fades and farmers’ protests become one big blur, the EU’s newfound enthusiasm for agriculture seems to be withering.  

The clearest sign? There hardly seems to be any competition - let alone fierce rivalry - among member states for the agriculture portfolio at the European Commission. In fact, only one nominee has even expressed interest in the role. 

The question of who – most likely a man – will replace Poland’s Janusz Wojciechowski as farming chief remains open. 

So far, most EU member states are scrambling over the economy and finance portfolios, while agriculture has slipped to the bottom of the priority list. 

Who are the leading contenders? 

China holds off on EU brandy tariffs but alleges dumping and damage. China announced on Thursday (29 August) that it would not impose tariffs on EU brandy for now, signalling a potential easing of trade tensions with the 27-member bloc, but a preliminary investigation found evidence of dumping on European imports. 

Although Beijing opted not to implement “provisional anti-dumping measures” at this stage, it noted that EU brandy could still face average duties of 34.8%. 

France is neglecting the EU, warns head of the national farmers’ union. The president of the influential farmers union FNSEA expressed regret over Paris’s lack of involvement in shaping the new European Commission, urging French politicians to reengage actively in Brussels, in a press conference on Thursday. 

Hungarian Presidency minister to open annual non-GMO summit. István Nagy, Hungary’s minister of agriculture and current chair of the EU’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council, will deliver the opening remarks at the international non-GMO summit, which this year will focus on the political debate surrounding new genomic techniques (NGTs). 

Commission proposes clampdown on fishing in the Baltic Sea, compliance with EU rules. The European Commission proposed restrictive quotas in the Baltic Sea for all species except for herring while also calling for stricter application of EU fishing rules, on Monday.  The Commission proposed to reduce in the main basin of the Baltic Sea salmon catches (-36%), in the Gulf of Finland (-20%), and sprat catches by (-42%) across the whole of the Baltic Sea. 

Czechia renews calls to postpone EU anti-deforestation law. The Czech Agriculture Ministry has asked the European Commission to delay the application of the EU’s new anti-deforestation law, arguing that its impact on businesses is unclear. According to the Czech ministry, businesses are unprepared as they lack information about the conditions they need to meet. 

Moderation and premium drinks are reshaping Europe’s alcohol market. Europe boasts some of the world’s most renowned spirits, from French cognac to Scottish and Irish whisky, but consumer tastes are shifting – cocktails and the rise of low and non-alcohol options are reshaping the industry due to pressure from economic challenges. 

EU seeks tweaks to pesticide rules to fast-track sustainable solutions. Member states have until next week to submit their views to the European Commission on a proposal for a common definition of biocontrol products, which stakeholders say could help speed up the approval process. 

Agrivoltaics: helping both farmers and climate. Central Europe could produce up to 191 TWh of electricity annually from solar panels installed alongside agriculture, according to a report released Thursday by think-tank Ember – more than Poland’s total electricity consumption in 2022. 

[Edited by Angelo Di Mambro/Owen Morgan]

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The Agrifood Brief is brought to you by Angelo Di Mambro, Maria Simon Arboleas and Sofía Sánchez Manzanaro.