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European citizens are in general satisfied with the EU's recent changes to its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), but have different priorities as regards its future development.
A new Eurobarometer survey carried out in the 25 EU member states shows broad citizen approval for the shift in EU farm policy from production support to protection and development of the rural economy and to direct support to farmers. The survey shows that citizens believe that the CAP is doing a good job at ensuring that farm products are healthy and safe.
On the other hand, when asked if protection of the environment should be a priority of the CAP, most of the results from the new EU member states come out at much lower than the EU average. Only 8% of Lithuanians, 12% of Poles, and 17% of Hungarians think the environment is important in agricultural policy. The Danes (48%) and the French (46%) were the most concerned about environmental protection in the CAP.