Speculation in Brussels is mounting that Phil Hogan will be offered the key Agriculture portfolio in the coming days, with current incumbent Ciolos seemingly now out of the running for the position.

ICOS has been on the ground in Brussels advocating for an Irish agriculture commissioner among officials and Agri organisations as we see such an appointment as being a big help to Irish co-operative dairy business and Ireland in general.

In other related posts of interest to our dairy industry are:

• Germany’s Günther Oettinger had been linked with the trade portfolio
• Lithuanian ex-Health Minister Vytenis Andriukaitis covering health & food safety
• The UK’s candidate Lord Jonathan Hill is linked with a new portfolio merging energy & climate change responsibilities
• At present Environment is unclear