The line-up of the new EU Commission has been formally ratified by the European Parliament, with Ireland's Phil Hogan taking over the agriculture portfolio.

MEPs in Strasbourg voted by 423 votes to 209 to approve the 28 nominated commissioners.

The incoming president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker had outlined the political priorities of his College of Commissioners for the next five years.

Slovenia's former prime minister, Alenka Bratusek, had been rejected by MEPs during hearings on the nominated commissioners. A replacement - Violeta Bulc - was backed by MEPs as a transport commissioner on Monday.

The former Environment Minister Phil Hogan will formally start his new job as Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development on November 1st.

He says food security will be his immediate priority:

Originally published at 12:54pm