Born on 17 April 1947, Röckersbühl Agricultural college (graduated 1966); master's certificate in agriculture (1979). Secondary occupation as farmer. Worked in trade and industry (1968); managing director of a farming cooperative (1972); full-time farmer/training establishment (since 1977). District Chairman of the CDU/CSU Youth Section (1974-1984); Member of the CSU district executive (1981); Municipal Chairman of the CSU (1984-2009); Regional Chair, CSU Agriculture Association (1995); member of the CSU district executive (1989); member of the CSU regional executive (1997). Municipal Councillor, Berngau (1972-1996); District Councillor, Neumarkt/Oberpfalz (1978); Mayor of Berngau (1984-1996); vice-chair, Neumarkt/Oberpfalz district council (1984-1996). Member of the Bundestag (1990-2004); farm policy spokesman for the CSU Regional Group in the Bundestag (1992-2004); member of the CDU/CSU Group Executive Committee (1997-2004); chair, CSU Regional Group working party for Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Environment, Transport, Building and Energy in the Bundestag (2000-2004). Member of the European Parliament (since 2004). Federal Cross of Merit with Ribbon (1998); Bavarian Order of Merit (2007).