Brussels, 17/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - An absolute majority of EU member state citizens are in favour of reform of the common agricultural policy, with 52% declaring that the single farm payment system (decoupling of subsidies) and the increased attention given to rural development policy is a “good thing”. These are among the main findings of a Eurobarometer poll published on 13 March on “Europeans, agriculture and the Common Agriculture Policy in 2007”. The study shows that the single payment scheme is particularly appreciated by citizens in the Netherlands (65%), Romania (62%) and Belgium (60%). The percentage of respondents in favour of CAP reform has risen slightly since 2006, when it was 49%.
An overwhelming majority of European citizens support the “cross compliance” aid mechanism, whereby farmers face a reduction in payments if they fail to meet standards in a number of areas. Considerable numbers of respondents consider that a reduction in such payments would be justified for failing to meet food safety standards (88% of respondents felt this was “justified”), animal welfare standards (86%) and environmental standards (85%).
Results of the poll also show that 89% of the European population consider that agriculture and rural areas play an essential role in the economy and the society of Europe. This result is similar to that observed in 2006 and is relatively stable throughout the various countries and groups within society.
A large part of the population considers that the current budget level for agriculture is appropriate. A relative majority (43%, -2 points since 2006) believes that the proportion of the budget reserved to agriculture to date is “adequate”, i.e. more than the combined number of people who think the budget is “insufficient” (16%, +1) or “too high” (17%, +1). Slightly fewer than 6 out of 10 Europeans consider the budget allocated to agriculture should remain unchanged or be increased (58%).
Inflationary impact begins to be felt. A great change has taken place concerning priorities attributed to agriculture policy and rural development: - 43% now see the reasonable price guarantee as a political priority, i.e. up 8 percentage points since 2006. In the same order of ideas, the proportion of respondents for whom it is a political priority to have assurance of available farm products is up 4 percentage points, reaching 18%. (L.C.)