About Phil Hogan
Subheading: Former EU Commissioner | Agricultural Leader | International Negotiator
My Story
Phil Hogan is one of Ireland’s most experienced international statesmen, with a career spanning more than 35 years of public service at local, national and European level. He is Ireland’s nominated candidate for Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation.
As EU Agriculture Commissioner: From 2014 to 2019, Phil Hogan served as European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, overseeing the Common Agricultural Policy — the EU’s largest budget at approximately €57 billion annually. During this period he spearheaded the 2018 CAP reform, championed sustainable farming, and represented the EU at the FAO, WTO and G20. He negotiated the landmark EU-African Union Task Force report on rural Africa, which received full Ministerial approval at the UN FAO in 2019.
As EU Trade Commissioner: In 2019–2020, Phil Hogan served as European Commissioner for Trade, directing the EU’s trade policy for the world’s largest trading bloc. He championed WTO reform, ensured supply chain continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and advanced multiple Free Trade Agreements embedding high standards for sustainable development.
National Leadership: Phil Hogan served as Irish Minister for the Environment (2011–2014), implementing the most significant local government reform in the history of the State and representing Ireland at international climate conferences. He was a Member of Dáil Éireann for 25 years, representing the rural constituency of Carlow/Kilkenny.
Current Role
Phil Hogan chairs the EU Council High Level Group on Agri-food Systems Innovation (2021–present), driving a paradigm shift in European and global food systems through regenerative agriculture, digitalisation and evidence-based policy reform.
- 38+ Years of public service
- EU Commissioner for Agriculture 2014–2019
- EU Commissioner for Trade 2019–2020
- Oversaw €57bn CAP budget
- Negotiated EU-AU Task Force on Rural Africa
- Led EU at G20, WTO, UN FAO
- Chairman, EU Agri-food Systems Innovation Group
- BA Economics & Geography, UCC