90% of EU citizens feel that strengthening the farmer’s position in the food supply chain is an important priority, according to the results of a new survey conducted by the European Commission.

The survey in question is the most recent Eurobarometer study based on the subject of EU citizens, agriculture and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The most recent survey was carried out between August and September 2020, taking in over 27,200 responses from citizens across all EU countries.

Under the heading of “Supporting Farmers”, a number of interesting statistics gave an insight into the views of EU citizens in general.

According to the Eurobarometer, EU citizens recognise the many ways in which farmers contribute to society.

90% of respondents felt that strengthening the farmer’s position in the food supply chain was an important priority and 70% believed that the CAP was contributing to this objective, the Eurobarometer study noted.

Roughly half of respondents (51%) believed that ensuring a fair standard of living for farmers should be the main priority of the CAP.

With regard to the CAP’s financial support of farmers, nearly half of EU citizens (47%) consider that the level of income support provided to farmers is fair, while a significantly increased number of citizens believe that the level is too low (39% of respondents were of this opinion in 2020, compared to 26% in 2017).

56% held this opinion in 2020, a rise of 12% compared to 2017 and 27% compared to 2007.