Mr. Avery began his career in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in London, where he held posts as Principal responsible for negotiations for accession to the EC, and as Private Secretary to successive Ministers (Fred Peart, John Silkin). He joined the European Commission in Brussels in 1973 as a member of the Cabinet of Christopher Soames, Vice-President responsible for external relations. He was Counsellor and then Deputy Chef de Cabinet of Roy Jenkins, President of the Commission in 1977-80. He held posts in the Directorate General for Agriculture (DG VI), as Head of Division for economic questions, and as Director for agricutural structures and for rural development. He was a member of the cabinets of several Members of the Commission responsible for agriculture (Finn Gundelach, Paol Dalsager and Frans Andriessen). After a year spent as Fellow of the Center for International Affairs, Harvard University, USA he became Director for Agricultural Structures and Foresty, then Director for Rural Development and Directorate General for Agriculture (DG VI).