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Le Foll, 52, was elected to the European Parliament in 2004 and is a member of the group of socialists and democrats. He sits on the parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and in 2009 wrote a report on European Union agriculture and climate change.

There is an unwritten rule amongst UK famrers that when it comes to defending the position of farmers in Europe - let the French do it. The land tenure system in France means that a higher proportion of the population have in an interest in farming and as such tend to be more vociferous in defending the CAP.

On the greening of the agricultural policy, Le Foll is on record as saying "Of course farming needs to take a positive approach to environmental issues. In particular, it needs to focus on the European element and ensure that it is factored in by incorporating environmental issues into the first pillar". He has also advocated that the agriculture budget remains at its current level. "That is my response to the comments made by the Commissioner and the President of the Commission on the second pillar. We cannot accept a budget cut".

Martin Schulz,President of the European Parliament, said yesterday that the fundamental reform of the Common Agricultural Policy should not remain a taboo. Indeed, the CAP is ensuring neither sustainable agriculture nor decent incomes for all farmers. Undoubtedly, tough negotiations lie ahead on this front, including with Hollande.

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