Press Release: Public opinion in the European Union is broadly favourable to key elements of the forthcoming CAP reform package

The concept of enhancing the link between Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) payments and environmental protection throughout the EU and limiting the amount of payments any individual farm can receive are broadly supported by EU citizens, according to a EUROBAROMETER opinion poll.

The poll also shows recognition of the particular contribution that small farms provide to rural communities, and gives clear backing for making public the amounts that individual beneficiaries receive. The highest level of support came from those who agreed that buying local products was beneficial, but almost half of the respondents indicated that it is difficult to identify "local products" or "mountain products".