Survey shows 90% of Europeans value agriculture and rural economy

THE findings of a new survey, which show that 90% of Europeans regard agriculture and the rural economy as important for the future, have been welcomed by the Irish Farmers Association.

John Bryan, president, said it is clear European consumers value the family farm structure and the delivery of quality, safe food in a sustainable way. “That 83% of EU citizens are in favour of continuing to support farmers’ income shows that the benefits of the Common Agricultural Policy are appreciated.”

Mr Bryan said respondents in the Eurobarometer poll have given a clear signal to the European Commission and policymakers. They have shown an overall preference for the existing model of supporting family farms which ensure a secure food supply, environmental protection and products that are of good quality, healthy and safe.

Mr Bryan said a majority of EU citizens believe that financial support to farmers should be either maintained or increased in the next 10 years.

Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness said the fact that a majority of Europeans are in favour of maintaining the CAP budget cannot be ignored. This must strengthen the hand of the Government in negotiating the future of the policy post-2013.

Ms McGuinness said there is no doubt but that the budget is under threat from a number of quarters and this must be resisted.

On average, 90% of Europeans consider that agriculture and the rural environment are vital issues for Europe’s future. In Ireland, the figure is 86%, an increase of 10% on the last Eurobarometer survey in 2007.

She said that there was overwhelmingly strong support for the new objectives for agriculture and rural development, such as preserving the countryside (93%), helping farmers to face the consequences of climate change (89%), and developing the economy in rural areas (89%).

Pekka Pesonen, secretary general, Copa-Cogeca, the European umbrella bodies for farmers and agri co-ops, said he was pleased an overwhelming majority of EU citizens consider agriculture and the rural environment are vital issues for Europe’s future.

“This certainly motivates farmers. It also supports our views that a strong CAP, with its current mechanisms, must be kept in the future. It must also be accompanied by a sufficiently large EU budget.”