Provisional figures for `EU farm incomes show 12.2% decline

THE provisional figures for farm incomes per worker in 2009 show a decline of 12.2% across the EU.

Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said she was very concerned at the figures. “Clearly, the economic crisis has had a very serious effect on our farmers, with lower demand and relatively high production costs,” she said.

Ms Fischer Boel said this situation highlights more clearly than ever the need for a strong, modern and effective Common Agricultural Policy.