French consumers expressed strong discontent with the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) according to a Eurobarometer March survey, and set three main priorities for the European Union to achieve in terms of agricultural and rural development policy: out of a total 26730 citizens surveyed from the European Union 27 members states, 1024 French consumers were polled: 51% felt that the EU should promote respect for the environment, 43% that the European Union should ensure a fair standard of living for farmers, and, 42% that the EU should ensure reasonable food prices for consumers. French consumers gave the lowest priority, 9%, to ensuring availability of supplies of agricultural products, once a CAP main issue which has seen EU citizens’ concerns over price increases take over. In the EU 27, these three new priorities averaged similar answers although only 33% expressed concern for environmental issues. 

According to the survey, French consumers gave a thumb down to the CAP. Overall, 49% felt that CAP « rather badly fulfils its role » , compared with 39% in the EU 27. Highest levels of discontent were recorded in Finland 51% Latvia 68% and the Czech Republic 61%. In Austria, the CAP was well perceived and received the highest approval rate 55% compared with an EU average of 35% In the « fulfils its role rather badly » category, French consumers felt overwhelmingly, 59% that the CAP has not provided reasonable food prices for consumers, and 54% that the CAP has been unable to protect family type farms.

Regarding markets of agricultural products, 46% felt that the CAP has not adequately stabilized them, 44% that sustainable agricultural prices have not been promoted sufficiently, 46% that methods of organic production have not been promoted, and 44% that promoting respect for the environment is insufficient. 

Regarding health and food safety issues however, French consumers surveyed were split over giving a thumb up or down (42% vs. 40%) to the CAP. A majority 64% agreed with European Union trade barriers to imports of agricultural products as regards their origin, Finland’s 70% rated the highest, and Portugal 31% the lowest. As regards trade barriers from developing countries 36% of French consumers agreed that they should be raised as regards the origin of agricultural products while 69% agreed that agricultural imports from any origin should only enter the EU if they fully comply with EU safety and quality standards.

In addition, 90% of consumers surveyed felt justified to reduce subsidy payments to farmers who do not respect environmental standards, (50% in the EU 27 agreed) and, 57% felt that it is « totally justified». The « totally justified » criterion rated the highest in Sweden 82% and Denmark 77%. Similar penalties for disregarding animal welfare also rated high in France where 76% found it justified to reduce subsidies to farmers, and as regards food safety 93% felt « totally justified » (in the EU 27 63%) to reduce subsidies and 70% «justified » (88% in the EU) 

With the environment remaining high on their agendas, 92% of French consumers surveyed felt that European agriculture and rural areas are personally important for their future, (90% in the EU 27) and 56% expressed interest in receiving more information on agricultural issues in general, compared with 40% in the EU 27 while 33% of French consumers declined. Regarding the CAP which 65% of French consumers surveyed say they are knowledgeable about (43% in the EU 27) 64% said they would like to be more informed about it, (53% in the EU 27) and overwhelmingly, 55% favored television programs (in the EU 27, 64%) compared with 47% for the Internet (33% in the EU 27) as their preferred source.