My weekly update - Main contents

Another busy week at the office!

This week I made a number of trips to the European Parliament to engage with MEPs on various issues - including Christmas trees! On Monday I was welcomed to the Budgetary control Committee by Chair Inge Graessle at the European Parliament to discuss the discharge of the 2013 budget in relation to agriculture.

On Tuesday I met with the leadership of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association to exchange views with them on the future of the dairy sector. Later I joined my colleagues in the College of Commissioners in a joint meeting with senior MEPs on the Conference of Committee Chairs of the European Parliament.

Our Wednesday meeting of the College of Commissioners consisted of a joint meeting with the Latvian Government, in advance of the Latvian Presidency of the Council, which is scheduled for the first half of 2015. It was a good opportunity to engage with Latvian colleagues to exchange views on priorities for six months ahead.

Afterwards I enjoyed a chat with Irish Minister of State for Forestry, Tom Hayes TD, who was in Brussels to discuss the EU Forestry Strategy.

Later on Wednesday, I returned to the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to exchange views with Agri MEPs on a formal basis for the first time since my hearing there in October. Although I did not receive the same grilling as I did in October, I enjoyed the frank a productive exchange of views! I value these exchanges with the European Parliament and I believe it will allow us to develop strong cooperation and discussion over the coming years.

An important aspect of the new Juncker Commission is the promotion of active outreach to national Ministers and Parliamentarians. On Thursday I continued this dialogue with Irish Minister of State for European Affairs Dara Murphy TD. Likewise, this morning I enjoyed a roundtable of Oireachtas Members (Irish Parliament) who were in Brussels for the day. We had a chance to discuss the significance of the EU in the country I know best, and also the importance of citizens understanding of what goes on here in Brussels.

This week we celebrated the long and exceptional career of Michael Treacy, on his retirement as Director of the Irish Farmers' Association EU Office. The attendance was a veritable Who's Who of not just Irish, European, but global Agriculture, and was crowned by a marvellous, touching speech by the one and only Tommie Gorman. Michael Treacy is a true giant of Irish and European agriculture. I am sure we have not seen the last of him yet and I wish him well in his retirement.

It was a short hop across the road to the Thon Hotel for Michael's retirement do, as I had just spoken to the COPA-COGECA Praesidium meeting. COPA COGECA is the voice of European farmers and agri-cooperatives. Earlier in my office I received COPA President Albert Jan Maat and COGECA President Christian Pees.

It was inspirational to meet a group of dynamic young farmers from Wales, who were there at the invitation of the National Farmers' Union Cymru.

I also met with the head of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) Matteo Bartolini this morning. As I have outlined before, a rejuvenation of agriculture is necessary for the growth and success of the sector.

An afternoon of meetings with officials was livened up by a visit of AgraFacts for a wide ranging interview on my priorities as Commissioner. I look forward to reading it!