Family farming.

The Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers, UPA, has shown its satisfaction after knowing and examining in detail the data from the latest Eurobarometer. This is the periodic report produced by the European Commission that delves into the opinions of European citizens on a topic.. On this occasion, The chosen topic was the agricultural sector and have been surveyed 28.000 citizens of all member countries, of which more than a thousand are Spanish.

According to this report, the 62% of European society believes that agriculture is very important for the future of the Union, and the 32% think it is quite important. In comparison, Spanish citizens give it more importance than the average of their neighbors: the 68% of Spaniards believe that it is very important and 29% which is quite important.

Asked about the objectives that our agriculture should pursue, the respondents have answered, precisely, six points on which the family farming model is based: supply society with a variety of quality products, ensure the welfare of farm animals, protect the environment, maintain economic activity and employment in rural areas, ensure EU food self-sufficiency, encourage and improve life in the countryside. UPA has expressed its happiness at this coincidence which it considers, “without a doubt, “a determined commitment by the population to the model that the organization defends”.

The agrarian organization has also been able to verify that in the Eurobarometer Spaniards stand out above the average European for being more aware of the backbone function that farmers and ranchers have in the rural economy. According to surveys, the 41% of the inhabitants of our country believe it in the face of 29% of the European average. That is why the Spanish are, also according to the data, of the Europeans who are most determined to take economic measures to directly help this sector.

CAP fails

In any case, UPA believes that these data are positive, but he also sees other negatives. And is that the spanish are, together with British and Italian citizens, those who know the least about the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC). According to data from the European Commission, just one 57% of Spaniards are aware of the program and, what's worse, the 73% You don't want to know more than you already know about this program.

UPA urges the entire sector to reflect deeply on these data.: “It is regrettable that society is not interested in the CAP, a basic policy for the survival of the agricultural sector and, Therefore, for food sovereignty and security”, explain, adding that “above all, when a large majority of that same society recognizes that the CAP benefits the entire population and not just farmers and ranchers.".

For this reason, UPA calls on all professionals in the field: “We are the first to value our activity and awaken the interest we deserve”.