Born in 1962. Mazowsze Region. MSc, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Postgraduate Studies in Common Agriculture Law at the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN). Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture (1997, 2001-2003). Leader of the Polish People's Party (PSL) (1997-2004), at present Chairman of the PSL Supervisory Council. Member of Polish Parliament (1993-2009). Vice-Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland (deputy speaker of the lower house) (2005-2009). Member of the European Parliament since July 2009. MEP since 2009.