Eurobarometer: What Europeans think of food security, food quality and the relation between agriculture & the countryside

Press release
Brussels, 6 July 2012

More than 90% of EU citizens find quality and price an important factor when buying food, and more important than origin (71%) and brand (47%) – indeed they were deemed "very important" by 65% (quality) and 54% (price), according to a new EUROBAROMETER survey on food security, food quality and the countryside, which is published today. Quality labels are important for two-thirds of respondents, and there is an improvement on previous years in the recognition of the different EU quality logos. The survey showed that 24% of those asked already recognise the EU organic logo, less than 2 years after it was launched. On food security, three-quarters of EU citizens expressed concern at the challenge of feeding the world’s population, but less than 60% are concerned about the ability of the EU and Member States to meet the food needs of their populations. Most EU citizens regard agriculture as making a positive contribution to preserve rural areas. This is consistent across most Member States and socio-demographic groups. There is a broad consensus that agriculture plays a beneficial role.

For the survey, more than 26 500 European citizens aged 15 and above were interviewed in all 27 EU Member States.

Source: Eurobarometer: What Europeans think of food security, food quality and the relation between agriculture & the countryside
Author: EU