Beoogd Deense Eurocommissaris beschuldigd van belangenverstrengeling (en)

The incoming Danish Commissioner in charge of agriculture, Mariann Fischer Boel, was only able to enjoy a few days of celebrations before finding herself caught in a political storm over possible conflict of interests.

As the owner of a 204-hectare farm and benefiting from an annual EU pay of some 60,000 euro, Ms Fischer Boel could have a personal financial interest in decisions for which she will responsible as Commissioner in charge of the EU agricultural budget.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen in a statement denied that owning a farm was in conflict with any of the EU rules.

European Commissioners are in general not allowed to run any business or to have other professional occupations or interests while in office in Brussels.

According to the Nice Treaty, "the Members of the Commission may not, during their term of office, engage in any other occupation, whether gainful or not".

The article also states that the Commissioners shall be chosen on ground of competence and whose "independence is beyond doubt".

Mrs Fischer Boel said her husband is running the farm, paying the taxes and receiving EU subsidies. She claimed this had been acceptable in her years as Danish minister of agriculture and food and that she expected it would also be acceptable for the EU.

On Saturday (14 August), however, the European Commission announced in a press release to Danish media that the legal advisers of the Commission would look into the affair after having studied in detail a report from Mrs Fischer Boel's advisor.

Incoming president of the Commission, José Manuel Durao Barroso, declared that he had "full confidence" in the ability of Mrs Mariann Fischer Boel to run her area.

The new Commissioners will take office on 1 November after the European Parliament has approved the new team.