The requests for a strong Common Agricultural Policy from the National Farmers Union (NFU) are receiving consumer support as seen by a recent survey. The Eurobarometer survey found that 90 per cent of EU consumers regard agriculture and rural areas as important for the future.
Growers supplying the cider industry and farmers offering holiday accommodation both look likely to benefit from 11th-hour changes to the Finance Bill. The controversial measures repealing the tax treatment on furnished lettings were due to come into effect this month but have been de-railed by the pre-election.
Speaking at the FNSEA (French farmers union) Congress in Auxerre last week, National Farmers Union (NFU) Peter Kendall argued that a re-nationalised approach to agricultural policy would be detrimental to the interests of Europe's farmers.