News

Nicholson disappointed at Fischer Boel's decision to retire

Conservative and Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has said that he is disappointed with the current EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel's decision to retire at the end of this Commission's mandate.

In a statement Mr Nicholson said,

"I am very disappointed that Mariann has decided not to stay on for a further 5 years as EU Agriculture Commissioner. On balance she was a good Commissioner and I pay testament to her professionalism and dedication.

"Whilst we may have had some disagreements over certain policy decisions and the actions of the Commission in some matters we always had a good working relationship and she always listened when Northern Ireland's case was put forward. She understood the many problems facing the agriculture industry in Northern Ireland.

"Whoever comes to replace her must have an understanding of the agriculture industry on the ground but when I look at the speculation surrounding who will replace her, I am worried that who comes next will not be as good for the industry as the current Commissioner especially at such an important time for the future of the Common Agriculture Policy and the CAP budget."