Teagasc environmental specialist Ger Shortle is heading to the European Commission in Brussels on a one-year secondment. He joins the Water Unit of DG Environment, arriving this month – just as negotiations on the next CAP reform start to warm up.

He brings a deep knowledge of Irish farming with him. Shortle has been manager of Teagasc Agri-Catchments Programme for the past 12 years.

Meanwhile, I hear a number of Department of Agriculture officials will also be moving to the Commission over the coming months on secondment.

It’s welcome to have Irish personnel move into positions of influence in Brussels. Concern has grown in recent years that the Irish were losing prominence there.