Robert Sturdy

18 January 2010

PRESS RELEASE
CAUTIOUS SUPPORT FOR NEW EU AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER

Eastern Region Conservative MEP Robert Sturdy has given his “cautious support” to the new Romanian Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos.

Mr Ciolos was originally a controversial choice as he had been described by Nicholas Sarkozy as “France’s second commissioner”.

However, during a three hour hearing in front of MEPs in the European Parliament Mr Ciolos gave a convincing performance, demonstrating an excellent knowledge of the European farming industry, as well as a willingness to work constructively with MEPs to ensure reform of the outmoded CAP.

Mr Sturdy, who sits on the Agriculture Committee, said :-

“It was good to hear the Commissioner describe himself as a moderniser, someone who would not let the CAP return to the bad old days of huge surplus production and would seek to use new tools to secure the future of European Agricultural production.

“He will still need to prove that he is not merely a front for French interests and that he seriously intends to carry out serious reform, making the CAP simpler, more transparent and equitable.  We need to make sure that farmers have a secure future and are allowed to make their money from the market.

“However, I would have liked to have heard more about how Mr Ciolos plans to ensure that supermarkets do not abuse their market dominance to drive farmers out of business and how he plans to guarantee that the EU will base its food safety and quality  policies on sound scientific evidence rather than political ideology.”

Ends
Notes to Editors:
1. Robert Sturdy MEP is available for interview on 0032 2284 7294 or through Press       Officer Ellee Seymour on 01353 648564 or 07939 811961. Please see Robert’s website at http://robertsturdymep.com