Europe, the Environment and the Farmers.

Result of a new IPSOS poll:

Throughout the European Union, an average of 85% of those questioned said that protection of the environment is just as important as economic and social progress. (video here)

Do our leaders even care? Theyre too busy fighting over the EU budget as Mr Chirac is trying hard to hang on to the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) while the French farmer are threatening the government by claiming they are going to protest violently.

If you want to see why French farmers, who make up only 3.5 per cent of its population, have such a powerful influence over their political leaders, read the following (somewhat biased but) interesting FT article.