07/04/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 4 April, the European Commission published its latest report on the situation in the agriculture sector, which shows that agricultural income in the EU rose by 3% in 2004. The income of farmers in the ten new Member States showed a considerable increase, as a result of their beginning to receive direct payments. The drop in agricultural income recorded in some of the 15 old Member States of the EU was due to increased expenditure on fuel, fertiliser and feeds. In 2004, crop production was higher than in 2003. Farmers produced the same or more meat and milk and other dairy products, depending on the product.