Aviva, a major player in life insurance and long-term savings, asset management and non-life insurance, announces the results of a study it commissioned from Opinion Way on "The French, the Environment and Agriculture".
- 69% of French people think that farmers have become more environmentally aware
Aviva, a major player in life insurance and long-term savings, asset management and non-life insurance, announces the results of a study it commissioned from Opinion Way on "The French, the Environment and Agriculture". In France, Aviva offers a wide range of insurance policies, for personal and professional needs.
Aviva has a strong presence in the agricultural sector. Its solid reputation is built around 150 years' experience in the area of farming. From the very first hail insurance policies designed for Burgundian winemakers to the daily protection provided to farmers today, Aviva agents are on hand to offer their customers personalised advice on insuring their professional and private assets, and to help them secure their future with specially adapted pension and retirement solutions.
Opinion Way, an independent market research and opinion poll specialist, carried out this study of a representative sample of 1,057 French respondents aged 18 years and above, between 11 and 15 September 2007. The main results of the study are presented below.
The extent of France's concern for the environment:
- Of the French people questioned, nine out of 10 claim their environmental awareness influences their lifestyle, although only a quarter systematically adapt their way of life as a result of this concern.
- For example, one French person in two admits not paying attention to the origin or production methods of the food that they buy.
- Delving deeper, more than 50% of French consumers confess to giving in to the pleasure of buying fruit and vegetables out of season (which must, therefore, have been imported), despite the negative environmental impact caused by their transportation.
- Only six out of 10 French people say they are prepared to pay more for products that are less harmful to the environment, and even those that are willing to pay more limit their commitment to a 10% price increase, on average.
Farmers and the environment:
- French people place farmers at the bottom of the list of polluters, way behind industry, transport and, more generally, people's day-to-day lifestyles.
- 69% of the French respondents consider that farmers are much more or slightly more environmentally aware now than they were in the past.
- According to 72% of French people, farmers respect the environment, but are subject to financial constraints that may force them to make less environmentally friendly choices than they would otherwise.
- Half of the respondents do not think that organic farming can fully meet current agricultural production needs.
- Two out of three French people do not think that organic farming is able to offer prices comparable to those currently charged.
- 56% of French people are in favour of sound, sustainable agricultural practices that use chemical pesticides and fertilizers with care.
Consumers and farmers:
- 94% of French consumers consider that farmers play an essential role in maintaining life in the countryside.
- 91% of French people believe that agriculture is a national asset; 57% are entirely convinced of this.
- Compared with imported products, French agriculture is perceived to be markedly superior. For example, 87% of French people think that fact that a given agricultural product has been produced in France guarantees better food safety.
- 90% of French people consider that France must take steps to preserve its agriculture and food independence, even though the import of food products keeps prices down.
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The full study is available on request.
Press contacts:
Estelle Joubert
Telephone: +33 (0)1 7662 5786
E-mail: estelle_joubert@aviva.fr
Notes to editors:
About Aviva
Aviva is Europe's leading provider of life insurance and retirement savings products with strong positions in other markets around the world. Based on gross premiums at 31 December 2005, Aviva is the world's fifth-largest insurance group. Aviva's principal business activities are: life insurance and long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. At 31 December 2006, Aviva had turnover of €61.9 billion and €543 billion of assets under management.
With more than 150 years' experience in France, Aviva is one of the top 10 players in the insurance market. Aviva France operates with a balanced multi-distribution model, which has proved hugely successful: 875 general agents, 1,800 branch staff, 400 life insurance advisers, 1,000+ brokers, and its partners (Union Financière de France and Médéric). Aviva France also has important partnerships with AFER, the largest savings association in France, and the Crédit du Nord Group. Specialising in unit-linked products, Aviva is recognised for the excellent performance of its long-term funds and solid commitment to its customers through its Good Advice approach. Aviva employs more than 3,200 staff. At 31 December 2006, Aviva France recorded consolidated sales of €6.4 billion, a consolidated operating profit of €689 million (based on the embedded value - EEV/IFRS standards) and managed assets worth €72.9 billion.