The structure of the new European Commission represents a promising step forward to open a new chapter of European policy in the field of agriculture and food. The reorganisation of the portfolio will potentially give to the future Commissioner the necessary room for maneuver to provide a consistent and coherent policy framework, overcoming the fragmented approach of the previous mandate which generated unnecessary polarisation and led to massive demonstrations of farmers in 17 Member States.

Commissioner-designate Christophe Hansen will have to work closely with Executive President Raffaele Fitto, in charge of Cohesion and Reforms. In his mission letter, Mr Fitto is tasked with guiding the work of the Commission’s college “notably to strengthen the competitiveness, the resilience and sustainability of the food and farming sector, to ensure that (the EU) supports farmers who need it most, promote positive environmental and social outcomes and support the right to enabling conditions”.  

To a certain extent, it is regrettable that the Commissioner-Designated for agriculture and food doesn’t hold a higher rank in the European Commission’s protocol and lacks authority on concrete food related issues. This does not fully reflect the title and strategic importance of his portfolio. However, this is offset by both the Executive Vice President position and the fact that Mr Christophe Hansen brings all the skills to succeed in his new position. As a highly respected former MEP, with influence extending well beyond his EPP political group, he is well-positioned to lead the economic and environmental aspects of his portfolio.

The mission letter given by President-elect von der Leyen to Mr Hansen is general on many points, leaving a wide room for maneuver to the future Commissioner. He will have to deliver on the simplification agenda and to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the sector. Ensuring that the “future Common Agricultural policy is fit for purpose” will be one of his main tasks together with finding ways to leverage private funding. Climate risk preparedness and developing tools for crisis management are underlined. 

A major challenge will be his ability to demonstrate autonomy and distance himself from the conclusions of the strategic dialogue which is put forward as a baseline to the Commissioner-designated. He will need to shape and implement his own vision, integrating also the recommendations of the Draghi’s report and urgent competitivity needs of the sector. This is likely to be a key focus and potential point of contentious during the hearings, in particular considering yesterday’s reactions of the European Parliament to this report. 

Tensions are also expected concerning the trade agenda. As negotiators work to finalize a deal with Mercosur, the statements from the Commissioner-designate regarding the fight against deforestation and, more broadly, the reciprocity of standards in the EU’s trade strategy will be closely watched by decision-makers in the European Parliament. The mission letter clearly emphasizes that the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food will collaborate closely with the Trade Commissioner to ensure reciprocity and a level playing field at the international level.