There has been a widespread welcome for Phil Hogan's appointment to the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio.

Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said "Agriculture has always been a priority for Ireland and this is an appointment that Government has made a priority. It is a very significant announcement for Ireland and is recognition of the role the Irish Presidency played in securing a Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) agreement last year.

This is clearly the appointment this Government had sought and been working on for the last number of months and I am delighted that today we have secured the position of EU Agriculture Commissioner. This Government has prioritised Agriculture and Food as a major economic driver for the Irish economy and this appointment will help deliver those targets. I wish Phil Hogan the very best in his new role and look forward to working closely with him."

IFA President Eddie Downey said IFA looked forward to working closely with Phil Hogan in shaping the future of the Common Agricultural Policy in a way that will have a positive impact on Irish and European farm families.

The Irish Government has secured a portfolio that is important for Ireland. As agriculture is our largest indigenous industry, having Ireland’s nominee in control of Agriculture and Rural Development is testament to our standing in Europe".

"There are important decisions ahead for the agriculture sector, including the future direction of the CAP, excessive EU bureaucracy, climate change restrictions, EU retail legislation and damaging trade deals. Irish and European farmers need a strong voice around the Commission table. Through our Brussels office, we will work with Commissioner Hogan and his officials to secure strong support for farm families into the future."

ICMSA President John Comer said "From an Irish farming perspective, it is very encouraging that an Irishman will now head up EU agriculture policy which has a direct influence in every town land in Ireland and is our key indigenous industry" said Comer, listing the immediate challenges facing Mr Hogan as including "the fallout of the Russian ban, the ongoing price-cost ‘squeeze’ at farm level across the EU, the implementation of the new CAP, the defence of the EU’s food producers from any threat posed by the Mercusor and TTIP talks and – critically – the tackling of the overwhelming powers and abuses perpetrated by the powerful retail corporations who maintain and increase their own margins while driving primary producers out of business.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, has congratulated Phil Hogan on his appointment as the new EU Commissioner on Agriculture but warned that he faces a huge task in resolving some of the issues that face Irish farming.

He commented: “I would like to congratulate Phil Hogan on his appointment as the EU Agriculture Commissioner. "It is now extremely important that Commissioner Hogan put his stamp on the role and ensures an equitable and fair implementation of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) right across the country for all farmers. Commissioner Hogan must also ensure the commonage issue is resolved in relation to CAP and particularly in relation to the GLAS scheme.

"Commissioner Hogan must also seek to adopt a comprehensive rural development plan to ensure the improvement and prosperity of rural Europe and in particular for peripheral countries like Ireland."

Macra President Kieran O'Dowd said "It was great to hear Mr. Hogan talk about the importance of food security and the economic importance of agriculture to the European economy. Central to this will be the encouragement of young people into the industry to address the poor age imbalance in the sector. I wish Mr. Hogan every success in his portfolio and look forward to working with him both directly and through Macra’s involvement in CEJA, the European young farmers group”.

ICSA president Paddy Kent said:

“Ireland’s importance in the EU agriculture sector is reflected in this appointment, and we wish Phil Hogan well in what will undoubtedly be a challenging role, given the many difficulties facing farmers,” said Kent. “The new commissioner must now consider regulation of the meat industry across the European Union as a matter of urgency, while Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) overclaims penalties are also a huge issue for many Irish farmers at present.

"The LPIS issue is one that Mr. Hogan needs to confront as soon as possible. The new CAP was intended to be more environmentally-friendly, but these penalties are sending conflicting signals to farmers. Tillage farmers are now expected to have a compulsory 5% ecological focus area, yet drystock farmers who already have an ecological focus area are being penalised. ICSA has been working with environmental NGOs to bring this case to Brussels, and we will be lobbying strongly for a review of these penalties," Kent added.

Mairead McGuinness, MEP and Vice President of the European Parliament described it as "a real coup". "This is a really positive development for Ireland," she said. "It is a crucial policy area and the Commission, with the Parliament and Council, will shape the future of European food, agriculture and rural development.

"In Phil Hogan we have someone who understands those issues innately and has the conviction and strength of character to fight for and promote those interests within Europe,” she said. "It is a great opportunity for Ireland to guide agriculture policy and to put food security to the fore.

"There are several pressing issues to be dealt with, not least the immediate impact of the Russian ban, ongoing pressure on the EU budget, the mid-term review of the CAP and the negotiation of several trade agreements. The EU and US negotiations on a trade and investment partnership offer great potential but there are also many challenges posed in the discussions.

"The issue of relationships and power imbalance in the food supply chain must be tackled at EU level. I have written to the Commission President, Jean Claude Juncker, urging him to expand the role of the Agriculture Commissioner to include supply chain issues and problems, including the ongoing crisis in the Irish beef market.