New EU Commissioner Hogan to address UCD EGA on first Official Visit to Ireland

UCD EGA are delighted we are hosting EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan's on his first official visit to Ireland as Commissioner on November 20th next.

EU Commissioner Phil Hogan

He has agreed to lead our Autumn Panel Discussion on "Future Challenges to Food Production in Europe" together with a Panel of Experts drawn from the various stakeholders in the Irish Food Industry.

The Panel will include Professor Dolores O'Riordan Director of the UCD Institute of Food and Health, Eddie Downey IFA President, Dr Larry O'Connell Senior Economist National Economic and Social Council  Author of NESC Report on Climate Change and Transition to a Low Carbon Economy for the Irish Government and Seán Molloy Glanbia Director of Strategy.

Dolores O' Riordan, Director,
UCD Institute of Food & Health

Eddie Downey,
President IFA

Larry O' Connell, Senior Economist,
National Economic & Social Council (NESC)

Seán Molloy, Glanbia Director
of Strategy

At his very successful confirmation hearing last week in the European Parliament Commissioner Designate Hogan stated that 'Farming in Europe presents many challenges not least in terms of ensuring food security, preserving the environment and protecting the countryside but also dealing with climate change and the need to provide a fair and stable standard of living for farmers'.

In addition the new Commissioner will have to consider the planned Mid Term Review of the revised Common Agricultural Policy (adopted in 2013 under the Irish Presidency), the current Russian food ban against EU sanctions over Ukraine, the ongoing EU-US trade talks under the TransAtlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and many other issues.

While each Commissioner Designate is currently before European Parliament Hearings the entire Commission as a whole must resubmit to a EP plenary for a vote approving of the Commission College on October 21st followed by approval vote of the European Council on October 23rd next. The new Juncker Commission will then assume office on November 1st 2014.

For that reason there can be no 'events' involving Commissioners until November 1st after which each Commissioner will then settle into their new roles and familiarise themselves with the staff and workings of the Commission.

We are therefore extremely fortunate and grateful to Commissioner Designate Hogan for agreeing to lead the UCD EGA Panel Discussion on November 20th next on his first visit to Ireland post appointment. We look forward to an excellent attendance in the Clinton Auditorium on this critical European topic for the Food Industry and Consumers alike.