EU job delay a possibility

It could be next January before the EU agriculture commissioner is in place, to oversee farming and rural development up to 2019.

The new Commissioners are due to start work on November 1, but the delay in choosing a new Council President and EU foreign affairs chief is likely to hold up their appointment, by adding to political wrangling among governments on the various Commissioner jobs.

If Government heads cannot agree on the two top EU jobs at a summit on August 30, the process could fall behind schedule.