Start of the hearings of the EU commissioners

The hearings of all designated EU Commissioners in the EU Parliament start today. These offer an important opportunity for EU parliamentarians to examine the candidates in detail. Alexander Bernhuber, a member of the Farmers’ Association in the EU Parliament, is using this opportunity to focus on the Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association’s 5×5-point demand paper – both in the hearings and in other planned discussions. “Taking farmers’ concerns into account is central to my personal voting behavior and trust,” explains Bernhuber.

Crucial role for the EU agricultural budget

With Christophe Hansen, the Luxembourg EPP candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, Bernhuber has already created a good basis for future cooperation in numerous preliminary discussions: “Hansen is a fighter for farming concerns and shares many of our values. That’s why he enjoys my personal trust.”

Bernhuber will also represent farmers’ interests in the planned discussions with all future commissioners. Agriculture is a cross-sectional matter that affects many departments. Not only is the agricultural commissioner responsible for farmers, but decisions made by other commissioners also influence agriculture. “That’s why we will use the hearings accordingly and create a good working basis in personal discussions,” says Bernhuber.

The EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) plays a crucial role in providing financial support to agricultural businesses and in ensuring sustainable food production and security of supply in Europe. It is essential that agricultural funds are adjusted to current inflation in order to ensure the competitiveness of European agriculture and the existence of family farmers.

Inflation adjustment, wolf and crop protection in focus

In a preliminary discussion with Bernhuber about the hearings, Chamber President and Farmers’ Association member in the National Council, Johannes Schmuckenschlager, emphasized the urgency of the demand paper: “The adjustment of the CAP to inflation, which Austria has already implemented and which now also has to be taken on by the Commission a crucial point. It is high time to implement this measure. The farmers in the EU deserve justice here.”

Furthermore, in its program, the Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association calls, among other things, for the final implementation of the possibility of wolf shooting, no further restrictions on plant protection for more security of supply, the same rules for imports as for domestic products and a clear no to the MERCOSUR agreement.

The entire program is online at www.noebauernbund-forderungen.at available.