48. Christophe Hansen: a new agriculture Commissioner takes office.

On 1 December 2024 a new European Commission took office, with a five-year mandate to lead the European Union’s executive branch. Christophe Hansen is the new Commissioner for agriculture and food. He’ll be responsible for a broad range of policies that shape farming, support rural communities, and help farmers continue producing quality food for Europe and beyond. With agriculture accounting for roughly a third of the European Union’s budget, it’s a job that brings with it scrutiny and pressure – and demands both an ability to seek common ground and a talent for listening. Mr Hansen, the nominee of Luxembourg to the new Commission, is a former Member of the European Parliament and is no stranger to farm life. His new job will combine his political experience with a passion for farming, food and rural life that comes from growing up on his family’s farm. Christophe Hansen sat down with Food for Europe for this 48th episode to share with us more about his background, his vision and the challenges he wants to confront in office.