My weekly update - Main contents

On Thursday afternoon I met a group of students from Ireland, from the UCC Europa Society and a group of Law students from both UCC and NUIG. I'm always glad to meet young people interested in Agriculture and in European Affairs, and I would encourage all young people out there to consider a career in the European Institutions - we always need bright young minds like yours!

On Monday, I was back in Ireland and was delighted to perform the opening of the Advanced Laboratory Testing Ltd extension in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. More importantly, I was particularly pleased to announce the creation of 50 new jobs in this state-of-the-art facility. This is further evidence of the recovery of the Irish economy.

I also delivered the keynote speech to the AGM of the Agricultural Consultants Association. I was struck by the positive mood about the role that agriculture and the agri-food sector is playing in growing the Irish economy. I made a fascinating visit to Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland which supports science-based innovation in the agri-food sector, these visits allow me to keep an ear to the ground in terms of the latest developments in research and innovation. I also spoke to the EU Ambassadors based in Dublin. This was an ideal opportunity to set out the key role that agriculture has to play in the Juncker priorities, notably in relation to jobs and growth.

This week was Strasbourg week, an ideal opportunity to meet MEPs and to hear their concerns and the issues affecting them and their constituents. I had a particularly useful meeting with Herbert Dorfmann MEP about the challenges of dairy production in the Alps. I'm looking forward to hearing more about the issues facing different parts of the EU in the coming months.

On Tuesday evening, I travelled to Nurnberg in Germany and had a very constructive and wide-ranging meeting with the German Agriculture Minister, Christian Schmidt. We both agreed that a lot of work is needed to improve the Commission's Organics proposal to meet the concerns of Member States, the European Parliament and the industry. Minister Schmidt has taken a very constructive approach to this file and I was pleased to have the opportunity to confirm my willingness to be flexible to deliver a legislative framework that will allow the European organics sector to realise its undoubted potential.

On Wednesday, I attended and participated in the official opening of BIOFACH, the world's leading trade fair on organic food, in Nurnberg. I spoke about the importance of organics in economic terms and reiterated my commitment to work with all of the parties involved to achieve agreement on a new Regulation, which the industry badly needs. Both the Parliament and the Council can be assured of my commitment and goodwill to facilitate an agreement which will benefit a sector which currently worth in excess of €22 billion.

On Thursday afternoon I met a group of students from Ireland, from the UCC Europa Society and a group of Law students from both UCC and NUIG. I'm always glad to meet young people interested in Agriculture and European Affairs, and I would encourage all young people out there to consider a career in the European Institutions - we always need bright young minds like yours!

Today, the Commission adopted 18 Rural Development Programmes from 13 member states . The programmes adopted today account for €14.3 billion in EU funding and this will be supplemented by national and private co-funding. These programmes will addresses six economic, environmental and social priorities between now and 2020. I am very encouraged to see the extent to which this funding is aimed at job creation in rural areas as well as addressing the critical challenge of climate change. I am pleased to say that in May we expect to adopt a further 34 programmes worth €30 billion in EU funding.

Next week, I will be in the United States for a series of important meetings with US leaders including Secretary for Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, and US Trade Representative, Mike Froman. I have met both men in Brussels and am looking forward to renewing our contacts and developing a relationship with such an important partner.