Ninety-five per cent of Europeans consider agriculture and rural areas important for Europe's future, and 93 per cent say securing a stable food supply for the bloc is crucial, according to a new Eurobarometer survey for the European Commission.

Seventy per cent believe the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) benefits all Europeans, pointing to its role in securing a stable food supply (93 per cent), ensuring reasonable prices and sustainable management of natural resources (92 per cent) and strengthening farmers' position in the food chain (91 per cent). About 85 per cent see increasing agricultural competitiveness as an important CAP priority, and more than two in three agree that it is delivering on protecting the environment and tackling climate change.

Most respondents think food security has increased or stayed stable over the past decade, but more than nine in ten recognise the impact extreme weather can have on food supply, and 73 per cent agree farmers need to change how they produce to fight climate change.

Quality and origin are the main considerations when Europeans buy food. Almost eight in ten call EU origin important or very important, and almost nine in ten say short supply chains and higher environmental and animal-welfare standards weigh equally in their choices, alongside quality labels. Looking ahead, reasonable food prices (55 per cent) and a fair standard of living for farmers (53 per cent) top the priorities, followed by a stable food supply (50 per cent), environment and climate (47 per cent), sustainable production (46 per cent) and rural growth and jobs (45 per cent).

Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen called the support "encouraging", saying the results show the Commission is aligned with citizens on "ensuring safe, high-quality food, supporting farmers and strengthening rural areas, while protecting our environment". The Commission plans a new 'European food' campaign, and its proposal for the next CAP includes a ring-fenced minimum for farmers' income support within the National and Regional Partnership Fund.

The report was written by Joe Griffin.

Photo: Bogdan Hoyaux, European Union / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Source: Agriland