Conservative and Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has said he is looking forward to questioning the candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, Romanian, Dacian Ciolos this Friday morning in the European Parliament as the hearings for candidates for the next European Commission take place over the next week.

Speaking from Brussels Mr Nicholson said,

"I know that MEPs will be keen to exercise some of the new power they have received under the Lisbon Treaty and so candidates for the new Commission can expect to receive robust questioning from MEPs.

"In December I met with Mr Ciolos to discuss his views on some of the major issues that he will be dealing with as Commissioner such as CAP reform and the future EU budget. Mr Ciolos will face tough questioning and if he fails to be approved by MEPs it appears that the President Mr Barroso may reshuffle the Commission and move someone new into agriculture. Although much of the early opposition to the Mr Ciolos has eased - opposition, which was grounded in concerns highlighted by the Court of Auditors about Romania's mismanagement of EU funding. However, there is still concern about the significant French influence in his cabinet. It is quite clear that he will have a French orientated cabinet.
"In my view, there is no point opposing Mr Ciolos simply to fill the post with another Romanian. My reluctance is nothing to do with Mr Ciolos personally but rather Barroso's decision to allocate this portfolio to Romania in the first place.
"The next five years will be absolutely critical for European agriculture and one thing is clear that if Mr Ciolos receives the approval of MEPs he will need to hit the ground running to deal with the many issues that require his attention."