Views: 12
Eurobarometer publishes regularly surveys on the state-of-art of EU-wide agriculture: i.e. recent eighth edition was conducted last summer among over 26 thousand respondents from different social and demographic groups. Present survey provides a comprehensive overview of Europeans’ attitudes towards agriculture and the Common Agricultural Policy, which takes about one-third of EU budget.
Bottom line
About 77% of respondents agree that the EU’s agro-policy fulfils its role in securing a stable supply of food in the member states, while 71% agree that the EU is fulfilling its role in providing safe, healthy and sustainable food of high quality.
Still 78% of EU-27 respondents say that they have been aware of the support that the EU gives farmers through its Common Agricultural Policy, CAP: it is the highest level of awareness of the CAP since 2007 (when it stood at 43%).
Over 90 percent say that agriculture and rural areas are important for the EU’s future; thus, the general idea prevails that CAP is fulfilling its role in securing a stable supply of food in the EU. About 70% agree that the CAP benefits all European citizens and not only farmers. At the same time, 56% think that the level of EU financial support to farmers to help stabilize their income is positive, although 27% consider this level to be too low and 9% that is too high.
Over half of EU citizens think that the levels of EU financial support to farmers to help stabilize their income “is about right”, though 27% consider this level to be too low and 9% that is too high: ago-aid represents around 30% of the total EU budget.
Source and citation from: https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3226
New Eurobarometer survey
Since 2007, the European Commission has been frequently conducting the Eurobarometer surveys on the agro-issues in the EU-27 and the European common agricultural policy, CAP. The Commission uses these surveys to follow the EU-wide public perceptions of agriculture, forestry and rural areas in the EU.
Among most vital agro-issues are the following:
= Food security, safety and quality. Strengthening the position of farmers in the food supply chain is one of the CAP’s key objectives: according to the 2024-survey, about 80 percent of respondents agree that the CAP contributes to securing a stable supply of food in the EU at all times. In all 27 EU countries, most respondents believe that the EU, through the CAP, is fulfilling its role in providing safe, healthy and sustainable food of high quality: e.g. 71% think that it helps develop research, as well as digital solutions to support the agriculture and food sectors; 70% believe it further strengthens farmers’ role in the food chain; 70% think it helps boost investment and growth, and increases the number of jobs in the agriculture and food sectors; and 69% think it contributes to ensuring reasonable food prices.
Concerning the awareness of European quality labels, most Europeans (56%) recognise the organic farming logo. However, less than one quarter know the protected geographical indication and the protected designation of origin logos (19% and 18%, respectively).
= Supporting farmers. The latest survey notes that more than half of respondents (56%) indicate that the level of EU financial support for farmers to help stabilize their income is “about right”, which represents an increase of ten percentage points since 2022 and the highest level since 2013. Respondents believe it is important to: a) secure a stable supply of food in the EU at all times (94%), b) ensure reasonable food prices for consumers (92%), c) ensure sustainable management of natural resources (91%), and d) strengthen the role of farmers in the food chain (90%).
= CAP priorities. The respondents also agreed about the following important priorities of the CAP: – boosting investment and growth, and increasing the number of jobs in the agriculture and food sectors (89%); – encouraging young people to enter the agricultural sector (87%); – reducing disparities in the development of different regions and territories of the EU (87%); – helping tackle climate change (86%); and – developing research and digital solutions to support the agriculture and food sectors (84%).
= EU agriculture, climate and the environment. Nearly nine out of ten respondents (88%, representing a 4-point drop since the last survey) are in favour of the EU continuing to make subsidy payments to farmers for carrying out agricultural practices beneficial to the climate and the environment: – 91% think that the CAP helps ensure sustainable management of natural resources; – about 70% think that the CAP contributes to ensuring sustainable management of natural resources and tackling climate change; and – 62% agree that agriculture has already made a major contribution to fighting climate change.
= Securing the future of rural areas. The survey revealed a positive attitude towards farmers: thus, e.g. – 92% agree that agriculture and rural areas are important for the EU’s future and over half regards it as “very important”; – 66% believe that the CAP contributes to reducing disparities in the development of the EU’s different regions and territories; and – 63% think that the CAP encourages young people to enter the agricultural sector.
= EU trade agreements. A significant majority of Europeans have a positive view of the impact of EU trade agreements on EU agriculture and on them as consumers: – 76% agree that these agreements ensure diversification of markets and supplies of agricultural products in the EU; – more than seven in ten think that these trade deals enhance exports for EU agricultural products around the globe (73%), and – these agreements promote EU labour and environmental standards, including animal welfare, for agricultural production in other countries (71%).
For example, the agro-business mission to Japan in 2025 will be geared for companies from all EU countries in particular SMEs with credible export capacity, but also large companies, including European and national producers’ associations, from key sectors with the most significant potential for the EU’s trade and cooperation with Japan.
More in: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/events/eu-agri-food-business-delegation-japan-2025-06-08_en
General source and reference to: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy/cap-overview/cap-glance/eurobarometer_en
More in the following CAP websites: = Public consultations; = Organics at a glance; and = Geographical indications and quality schemes explained.