Coverage of the Farm Credit Canada farmer survey results last week included data on optimism in agriculture. Albertans were less optimistic than they were in 2008, while Saskatchewanians and Manitobans were slightly more optimistic.
The survey was done in late November 2009. If the same questions were asked today, would the results to the questions about optimism show higher percentages?
They might, given recent prairie moisture and the promise of spring, when good agricultural things like bumper crops and higher prices are possible. Enthusiasm when facing a long winter might look a bit different from enthusiasm in early spring.
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That aside, another survey caught our attention this week; the Eurobarometer report that queries Europeans about the Common Agricultural Policy, or CAP. (Incidentally, it was also done in November 2009.)
The CAP is costly, but according to the survey, most consumers in the 27 nations of the European Union don’t blink at the expense. They assign major importance to farm income support, which would suggest that our European farmer competitors will continue to receive that support.
Ninety percent of Europeans regard agriculture and rural areas as important for the future and 83 percent favour continued EU support for farmers’ incomes. Almost 70 percent think the agriculture budget is either adequate or insufficient, and almost 40 percent say financial support to farmers should increase over the next 10 years.
As far as priorities go, 59 percent say the most important part of European agricultural policy is to ensure farm products are of good quality, healthy and safe. Next on the list at 49 percent is ensuring reasonable prices for consumers. Sharing third spot, at 41 percent, is ensuring a fair standard of living for farmers. Forty-one percent also give third priority to protecting the environment.
Some farmers in North America look enviously at the European system, where it seems farmers have greater political influence, are paid more for their work and receive higher prices for their produce.
Given the same survey, would Canadian consumers respond similarly? Maybe it’s time for a Canadian barometer of consumer attitudes toward agriculture. It could be instructive.
