Dacian Ciolos was subject to EC hearings today, Friday, in the European Parliament, after being designated Agriculture Commissioner. During hearings, he supported the need to continue the direct payments' system, but on reformed criteria. He supports the second Common Agricultural Policy (PAC) pillar, because the agriculture is closely connected with the rural environment and believes that here are the solutions to develop agriculture in the new member states ant solutions to fund small farms. The hearing concluded in the applause of the participants.
The hearing started at 10 am local time. The commission’s president was Italian Paolo de Castro. Ciolos was saluted and encouraged by Romanian MPEs. Besides the members of the hearing commission, Sabin Cutas and Marian-Jean Marinescu were also present. Dacian Ciolos held his introductory speech in Romanian.
Dacian Ciolos' statements:
With the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the agricultural family is consolidated and I want to assure I will consolidate this reality if you will support my role.The AGRI Commission is a good example of diversity, a diversity that I want to promote.I come from a country that had been through collectivisation, through Revolution, only to find its way to Europe. My interest for the European construction, beyond my convictions addressing freedom and fundamental rights, developed in a very close connection with the interest for rural development.I learnt that nobody can understand agriculture from behind an office, but through a real dialogue with he farmers. PAC adapted constantly to internal needs and progress, but also to international evolutions. Nothing that we have achieved so far is a product with a unlimited guaranty. Agriculture isn't just a food producer, but a public goods producer as well. My main objective will be to define PAC after
