EU consumers say CAP important

FARMING lobby organisations have received a boost with the results of a Europe-wide poll indicating overwhelming support for the Common Agricultural Policy.

The Eurobarometer survey of EU consumer attitudes to the CAP, conducted among 27,000 people across the 27 member states, found that 83 per cent of respondents believed it was important to offer financial support to farmers. In the UK, 63 per cent of those interviewed felt CAP support was only adequate or insufficient.

And an overwhelming 90 per cent of EU consumers stated that agriculture and rural areas are "important for the future".

Thomas Hind, the head of economics and international affairs with NFU England & Wales, said it was encouraging to see such strong support from consumers.

He said: "These results contradict the often negative portrayal of the policy in the UK. This suggests that British politicians need to consider carefully their stance on the policy.

"The survey highlights a strong preference for agricultural policy to be determined at EU level. This bears out our call against any renationalisation of the CAP."