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]
Franz Fischler is married with Adelheid (Heidi) Hausmann in 1973 . They have two sons , Klaus and Georg and two daughters , Bernadette and Ursula.
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.