"Brussels is still waiting for a number of member states to nominate their representatives to the next Commission," added Maurice Maxwell.
"However, this process should be completed very quickly, after which Commission President Manuel Barroso will make his nominations for the various portfolios, one of which is agriculture. But this is not the end of the matter as all of the nominees must be ratified by the European Parliament. This process could take up to the end of January next to complete."
Ulster Farmers' Union President Graham Furey told Farming Life that he is looking forward to meeting the new EU Agriculture Commissioner as early as possible in his or her new term of office. He described the imminent appointment as a critical issue for local farmers.
"Sometimes political appointments in Brussels may seem far removed from family farming in Northern Ireland but the fact is that very important decisions will be made in Brussels in the coming years and the next EU Agriculture Commissioner will have a significant influence on this and on the well being of farms in Northern Ireland," he added.
The Union's President confirmed that the new Commissioner would have three particularly important issues in his or her in-tray.
"The first task for the new Commissioner will be to secure a strong budget for the CAP in the upcoming EU Budget negotiations," he further explained.
"We all know how critical the Single Farm Payment is to local farm businesses and we need the new Commissioner to safeguard the CAP budget. Secondly the discussions are also beginning on the next CAP Reform in 2013 and this will probably define how successful the next Commissioner will be. We need the new Commissioner to deliver a non-bureaucratic CAP which continues to effectively support our farming families and deliver food and security and good environmental management.
"Thirdly the Commissioner will have to represent agriculture effectively in the climate change debate. Agriculture should be part of the solution to climate change, not part of the problem."
Mr Furey said he hoped the new Commissioner would also bring some of the personal qualities which defined Mariann Fischer Boel's term in office.
He concluded: "Mariann Fischer Boel clearly had a genuine interest in assisting the farming industry and she was always willing to listen to representation from Northern Ireland. In fact she visited Northern Ireland on several occasions which was important for us.
"The EU is expanding Eastwards but we need an EU Commissioner who is willing to ensure the needs of Northern Ireland, a region on the far Western extreme of Europe, are also taken into account."