A Eurobarometer survey comes up with some mildly positive feedback on the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), an area of European policy that is usually more reviled than praised. Nevertheless, 92% think that agriculture and rural areas are important for the future and at least half of all respondents in 24 of 28 EU countries agree that the CAP is fulfilling its role in protecting the environment and tackling climate challenges. 61% of respondents believe that the CAP benefits all citizens and not just farmers. In 16 of 28 EU countries, at least half of all respondents agree that the CAP is fulfilling its role in creating jobs and growth in rural areas.

In terms of performance, almost three-quarters of Europeans think that the CAP is fulfilling its role in securing a stable supply of food in the EU - the principle of food security is a key objective of CAP. Other findings on performance indicate that 64% of respondents believe that CAP is succeeding in its role in providing safe, healthy food of high quality, and 62% think that it is ensuring a sustainable way to produce food.

Some 88% of respondents think that strengthening the farmers' role in the food chain is important.

(Text author: Paul Hockenos)