PHIL HOGAN GAI EXCLUSIVE: GLOBAL AGINVESTING
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Volume 4, Issue 4 GAI GAZETTE
GAI EXCLUSIVE:
PHIL
HOGAN
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development
By Michelle Pelletier Marshall
As European Commissioner for Agriculture
and Rural Development, Phil Hogan manages
the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
Appointed EU Commissioner in 2014, Hogan
has sought to simplify and modernize the
CAP, while working to develop new export
1. Brexit became a
reality last year.
With the value of UK trade
which governs food production and rural markets for EU agri-food products. with the EU estimated at
development in the 28 countries of the
600 billion euros annually
European Union (EU). Most recently in September, Hogan was
instrumental in ending the quota system for
(US$702 billion), what impact
For the past three years, Hogan, a native of sugar in the EU – which had been in place for do you expect this member
Ireland and a former manager of his family’s 50 years – giving producers the opportunity state departure to have on
farm, has been an outspoken advocate for a to adjust their production to real commercial the agri-food sector in the
strong and well-funded CAP which continues opportunities, most notably in exploring EU? In particular, what will be
to deliver for Europe's farmers and society new export markets. In July, Hogan signed the consequence in Ireland
at large. off on a free trade agreement with Japan where a 20 percent drop in
that represents the most significant and far exports was anticipated?
Hogan’s work in politics began in Ireland reaching deal ever concluded by the EU in
at a young age, and in 1985 at 25 years old agri-food trade, creating improved global
he became the country’s youngest council access to nearly all agricultural and food As we are still in the negotiating phase, it is not
chairman. Since being elected to national products from Europe. possible to say with any certainty how the EU-UK
office in 1989, he has served in several key trading relationship will look post-Brexit. I am on
government positions, including Minister This year, Hogan addressed the Irish the record as saying that the best option for all
of the State at the Department of Finance; Farmers’ Association in Dublin, the Food parties – short of the UK reversing its decision
Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary and Drink Federation in London, and the to leave the EU - would be for the UK to remain
Group; and Minister for the Environment, European Environmental Bureau, among full members of the single market and customs
Community and Local Government. many others. GAI Gazette caught up with him union. This would allow both sides to maintain a
smooth and open trade and business relationship,
at his Brussels office.
including between Ireland and the UK.
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GAI GAZETTE Volume 4, Issue 4
development operational groups, as well as at the management of natural resources and climate
2.
Digital Innovation Hubs we are setting up. These action, and a balanced territorial development
September’s launch initiatives are important to ensure our agri-food in the 28 EU countries. The CAP provides a set of
of the €20 million sector makes the most of the opportunities digital instruments such as cross-compliance, greening
Ireland AgTech Fund (IAF) by technologies have to offer. practices and the rural development policy for
Finistere Ventures and the encouraging sustainable agricultural practices
Ireland Strategic Investment and the sustainable development of rural areas.
3.
In addition, EU countries must reserve at least
Fund highlighted the potential Sustainable 30 percent of the budget of each national rural
of the agtech market in the agriculture is central development programme for voluntary, targeted
EU. With the recent increase to your leadership, with measures that are beneficial for the environment
in agtech investment activity, goals to achieve the zero and climate.
start-ups, and accelerators hunger target, prioritize
in the region, and Global climate action, and create
AgInvesting’s launch of
the AgTech Nexus event in
Dublin this December, what
sustainable food production
systems and resilient
agricultural practices. What
4. Much attention is
given to presenting
the EU as a global leader
implications do you see are the main steps the EU and standard-setter in
for future technological is undertaking in these shaping international trade
developments in endeavors through its CAP and its rules of “harnessing
European ag? to improve the ecological globalization.” What are the
performance of the EU? top three ways you see the EU
making moves towards this in
I definitely share this optimism. New technologies the agri-food sector?
have the potential to make agriculture more
sustainable, in every sense of the word. That The CAP is at heart of the EU's commitment
is why we are making use of funding under to meet the United Nations 2030 Agenda and
Horizon 2020 and the CAP to invest strongly contribute to the sustainable development The EU is a key player on international agricultural
in research and innovation for agriculture and goals such as "end hunger, achieve food markets: we are the world's largest agricultural
we should continue to do so in the coming security and improved nutrition, and promote exporter thanks in part to past CAP reforms
years. We not only finance large scale European sustainable agriculture". The CAP has a long that increased the market-orientation and
innovation projects, but also stimulate innovation history of addressing sustainability issues, and competitiveness of EU producers. The freedom to
in a bottom-up approach. I encourage you to our policy objectives for the period 2014-2020 respond to consumer demands – within a legal
take a look at the results coming out of rural include a viable food production, sustainable framework that guarantees key standards - has
“The EU is a key player on international agricul-
tural markets: we are the world's largest agricul-
tural exporter…”
A publication of
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Volume 4, Issue 4 GAI GAZETTE
“To achieve greater export opportunities for our
high-quality EU food and drink products, in 2016
and 2017 I have been undertaking a "diplomatic
offensive" to help unlock new markets.”
helped make sustainably produced, safe, high-
5. 6.
quality food the EU's calling card on international
agri-food markets. An EU agri-markets Building trade
task force was relations with non-
EU trade policy supports EU farmers and food recently established. What EU states throughout the
producers to profit from these opportunities. This is the mission of the group, world has been a priority
means not only negotiating trade agreements, and what are some successes during your administration.
but also promoting and selling EU farm products
worldwide. We also work on resolving trade
thus far? Expanded relations with
obstacles to real market access – such as Mexico, Colombia, and Japan
sanitary and phytosanitary barriers. have prevailed from this.
The Agricultural Markets Task force was an What countries will the EU
At the same time, we recognise that specific independent expert group set up in 2016 to look focus on next? And, does this
agricultural sectors in the EU cannot withstand into how EU agricultural policy can improve include encouraging foreign
full trade liberalisation and unfettered competition the position of European farmers in food supply
with imports. The sensitivity of certain products chains, as the CAP has become more market
investment in European ag?
needs to be reflected in our trade negotiations, orientated over the last decades. The food chain If so, what key opportunities
making sure that sufficient safeguards for these experts produced several recommendations for exist for investors?
sectors are provided. political or legal action, published at the end of
their deliberations in November 2016, focusing
We also continue to advocate open, rules-based mainly on risk management issues and the
and fair trade. The EU remains, by far, the world relationship between farmers and businesses We will continue an ambitious programme
largest importer of agricultural products from downstream from farmers in the food supply of trade negotiations with important third
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) - €3.4 billion chain. Based on these recommendations, the country partners. Just to name a few examples:
worth agri-food imports in 2016. Furthermore, European Commission has launched a public The finalization of the trade agreement with
over the past 25 years, the CAP has undergone consultation on how to improve the food supply Japan is top of the agenda as is concluding
several reforms which have increased its market chain. Some other recommendations have been negotiations with Mercosur and Mexico. We also
orientation by minimising market-intervention taken up by EU legislators to update rules on the may start negotiations with Australia and New
measures with production and trade distorting simplification of the CAP. Zealand soon.
effects. We make sure that our impact on the
growth of agricultural sectors in developing
countries remains marginal, or wherever
possible, beneficial.
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GAI GAZETTE Volume 4, Issue 4
To achieve greater export opportunities for our At the same time, it is very important for us to The EU agricultural and food sector can be a
high-quality EU food and drink products, in 2016 retain our leading role in international bodies very attractive opportunity for foreign investors
and 2017 I have been undertaking a "diplomatic such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), who are interested in producing high standard
offensive" to help unlock new markets. I have working towards a further levelling of trading and innovative products to satisfy the interest of
visited Mexico, Colombia, China, Japan, Vietnam, conditions; to influence global agriculture policy EU consumers in sustainably produced, healthy
Hong Kong, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Iran – and take a leading role in global initiatives - for and nutritious food. In this context, I also want to
each time bringing with me a trade delegation example in the context of the UN, the G 20 mention that we are in a process of reaching out
of EU food companies. I am confident that these and the G-7; as well as to foster relationships to EU farmers and agri-businesses promoting
missions will lead to great new opportunities for with developing countries that assist them in responsible private sector investment in
our producers in the coming years, creating vital, advancing their agriculture and rural potential. developing countries, especially in Africa.
high-quality jobs in our rural areas.
“The EU agricultural and food sector can be a
very attractive opportunity for foreign investors
that are interested in producing high standard
and innovative products…”
BIOGRAPHY
Phil Hogan has served as EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development since
November 2014.
From 1989 until he became Commissioner, he represented the Carlow/Kilkenny constituency in Dáil
Éireann, the Irish Parliament. Between 2011 and 2014, he served as Irish Minister for the Environment and
Local Government, and before that occupied various senior posts at local, national and European level.
These included President of the Council of EU Environment Ministers (2013), Chairman of the European
People's Party of Environment Ministers (2012-14), National Director of Elections for the Fine Gael party
(2010-11), Fine Gael Director of Organisation (2002-07), Chairman of Kilkenny County Council (1985 and
1998), Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Group (1995-2001), and Minister of State at the Irish
Department of Finance (1994-95).
Before his entry into politics, Hogan established and subsequently directed an insurance and real estate
business. He grew up on a farm in rural Kilkenny, in south-east Ireland and managed the family farm
between 1981-1983. He is a graduate of University College Cork, with a B.A. in Economics and Geography.
A publication of
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