MEPs back agriculture commission nominee following CAP defence pledges

MEPs have approved Luxembourg’s Christophe Hansen as the next EU agriculture and food Commissioner, three Parliament sources present at a closed-door meeting confirmed to Euronews, following an open hearing that saw the nominee pledge to defend the CAP budget.

The informal vote by the MEPs on Hansen’s performance followed a more than three-hour hearing on Monday evening (4 November), with group leaders from the Christian democrats, socialists, conservatives, greens and liberals all voting in favour of his confirmation.

The vote was not unanimous, however, as two members of the right-wing Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) group and one from The Left voted against, and another from the right-wing Patriots for Europe abstained.

Parliament’s procedure is that, after the public hearings, the chairs and coordinators of the various committees responsible for the evaluation assess and vote behind close doors on the candidate’s suitability for the role of Commissioner.  

Hansen cosied to the farming community throughout his open hearing, saying it had taken to the streets earlier this year because it felt unheard. He vowed to be a “boots-on-the-ground” Commissioner, committed to visiting farms across different member states.

The Luxembourgish also recalled his upbringing on a family farm emphasising his first-hand experience with both the rewards and challenges of farming. “I know the good times and the bad times of farming life,” he said, reflecting on how his family struggled with bureaucracy that kept them from focusing on farm work.

The hearing’s most intense moment came when Hansen discussed the mental health challenges facing farmers, drawing on the memory of his late brother, who died following an accident last year.

Voice cracking, Hansen linked the accident to the stress and pressures faced by rural communities, including financial strain and long working hours.

Mercosur’ slippery slope

While Hansen’s promises resonated with many MEPs, his support for the Mercosur agreement drew criticism in the European Parliament’s agriculture committee where the hearing was held—and which vigorously opposes the trade deal.

Hansen said he would adopt a “balanced approach” to the issue, acknowledging the agreement’s benefits but also its challenges.

He advocated for fair reciprocity in trade, claiming that European farmers face disadvantages due to stricter EU production standards compared to those in third countries.

Staunch defender of the CAP

Hansen won approval with his strong defence of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget, especially its income support for European farmers.

He pushed back against recent speculation of budget restructuring proposals suggesting merger of the CAP with other EU programs, arguing that the bloc’s farming subsidies programme required its own dedicated budget.

The Luxembourgish added that budget cuts for farmers would be disastrous, especially in light of recent challenges, such as severe weather events across Europe.

On this, he acknowledged that EU leaders and their ministers would play significant roles in shaping the CAP’s future budget and scope.

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“I do not have the crystal ball but we need to put pressure on our national governments if we want a strong CAP that is not amputated from several parts,” he said.

He was tepid on proposals for an Agri-food Just Transition Fund, a one-off investment support aimed at helping farmers adopt more sustainable practices, arguing that existing resources should be fully utilised before creating new funds.

Hansen stressed the CAP’s importance not just for farmers but for all Europeans. However, he supported the reform of the CAP to better target financial aid, ensuring it goes to active farmers and those most in need.

He was also open to mandatory capping of subsidies, ensuring that more than 10% of aid reaches small farmers. “It is unacceptable that billionaires receive subsidies while those in need see minimal increases,” he said, urging more equitable distribution.

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Next Steps

With the backing of MEPs, Hansen can now turn his focus to producing a policy paper on the future of EU agriculture and food policy within 100 days of taking office.

He described this as a “shared roadmap for future initiatives”, reflecting diverse perspectives across the agri-food sector.