On her own blog, the agricultural commissioner said that the industry had achieved much over the last five years, continuing CAP reforms and making policies more market-orientated and geared towards new challenges such as climate change.

There has been much speculation over the last few months as to whether the 66-year-old would continue her role for a further five years. Mrs Fischer Boel announced her decision to the Danish Prime Minister on 14 September but she will continue working in office until the end of this term.

In 2004, Mrs Fischer Boel left her role as Danish farm minister to become the first ever female agriculture commissioner.

Since then she has worked hard to secure deals on sugar, has reformed the fruit and vegetable sector, introduced the CAP health check and most recently has been dealing with the market crisis in the dairy industry.

The UK's National Farmers Union President, Peter Kendall commended her last year for her personable and no-nonsense approach.