Reformer Boel may take over as next EU Farm Commissioner

DANISH Agriculture Minister Mariann Fischer Boel emerged as favourite for the job of EU Agriculture Commissioner when the line-up of 25 candidates was finalised last week.

She is an advocate of radical CAP reform, and her appointment would not be good news for Irish farmers.

Beet growers and processors in her own country were not sorry to see her depart to Brussels; she supports total liberalisation of the EU sugar regime even though it could cost 1,000 jobs in Denmark.