European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen impressed attendees at the IFA AGM last Thursday. His comments and responses to questions are carried in this pages, but it was his understanding of a farmer’s day-to-day existence that made a connection with the 100 farmers present. Growing up on a farm, being involved in yardwork and fieldwork seems to have equipped him with an insight into the mindset of farmers.It’s fair to say that the newly-appointed Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has that same hands-on experience, the same ability to talk technical farming, as well as the technicalities of national and European legislation and policy delivery. Both will need all the insight they possess for two very challenging roles.