Franz Fischler | |
---|---|
Born | |
Nationality | Austrian |
Occupation | Politician |
Years active | 1989–present? |
Franz Fischler (born 23 September 1946) is an Austrian politician from the Christian-conservative People's Party (ÖVP). He was the European Union's Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries (1995–2004).[1] He also was President of the European Forum Alpbach.[2]
Born in Absam, Tyrol Fischler studied agriculture at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, and finished as Dr rer.nat.oec. in 1978.[1] He worked as University assistant from 1973 to 1979, then for the Tyrol Chamber of Agriculture, finally as its director from 1985 to 1989.[1]
Between 1989 and 1994 Fischler was Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, and since 1990 elected Member of National Council.[1][3] In 1995 he became European Commissioner in Brussels, responsible for agriculture and rural development.[1] In 1999 fisheries also became part of his responsibilities.[1]
At the 1999 Berlin summit, Fischler had significant influence on the Agenda 2000.[4]
In 2011 Austria has decided to nominate Fischler as a candidate for the position of director general of FAO;[5] the position went to José Graziano da Silva instead.