Fischer Boel ‘immensely proud’ as she bids farewell to EU farm policy

THE outgoing European Union commissioner for agriculture and rural development bid farewell to farm policy yesterday.

Mariann Fischer Boel said it’s not without a certain amount of melancholy that she now leaves Brussels.

“But at the same time, I also feel immensely proud of all the things we have achieved together,” she wrote in her blog.

Ms Fischer Boel recalled that when she turned up in Brussels in November 2004, she really had to put her foot flat on the gas straight away.

“The EU was right in the middle of discussing the future of its sugar sector – the sector which, as many said, could never be reformed. But after further long months of furious debate, reform it we did.

“And this baptism of fire was a good preparation for the other sectoral reforms which were badly needed – for fruit and vegetables, and for wine,” she said.

Ms Fischer Boel said sometimes she still laughs when she remembers all the cartoons about the Common Agricultural Policy health check.

“It showed her in a nurse’s uniform, leaning rather threateningly over the CAP, a terrified patient in striped pyjamas.

“The patient survived the operation and has left the pyjamas behind, having left the hospital ward in robust health,” she said.

However, Ms Fischer Boel said life isn’t all about big ideas and grand plans. You also have to keep your workbench clean and tidy. “We’ve done that. We’ve been making the CAP simpler year after year.”

And, finally, getting a green light from the Court of Auditors for spending under all parts of the CAP combined – agriculture and rural development – was, she said, like finding the holy grail.

Ms Fischer Boel said she had five wonderful years in Brussels – the best of her political life.

What really made the difference for her were all the great people with whom she had the privilege to work, she said.

“If you want to keep in touch with me, I invite you to join me on Facebook, where I will be posting news and views as I take up new responsibilities.

“This isn’t really a Farewell to Farms. Yes, I’m moving onto new pastures, but this will certainly not be the same thing as being ‘put out to grass’.

“I have a farmer’s heart, and my heart will always be with the farmers.