The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker has appointed veteran French politician, Michel Barnier to the role of Chief Negotiator in charge of leading the European Commission’s discussions with Britain over its exit of the EU.  Mr. Barnier is a former Vice President of the European Commission, with responsibility for the Internal Market and Services portfolio, which included financial services. He also served as the French Minister of Agriculture from 2007-2009. It is expected that Mr. Barnier will directly negotiate with the UK’s Brexit Secretary of State, David Davis, once the decision is taken by the UK Government to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Meanwhile, in another sign that Britain is moving towards the EU’s exit door, its Prime Minister, Teresa May has announced that Britain will not take up its scheduled 6 month role as Presidency of the EU during the second half of 2017, with Estonia replacing the UK.

By Eamonn Farrell

Agri-Food Policy Executive