Which of the following best describes the function of the Common Agricultural Policy?

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) primarily aims to support farmers in the European Union (EU) by providing financial assistance, ensuring fair prices, and maintaining sustainable agricultural practices. This policy is crucial for stabilizing the agricultural markets, enhancing the income of farmers, and promoting rural development. By focusing on the welfare of farmers, CAP helps ensure that the agricultural sector remains viable and competitive within the broader EU economy. As a result, its core function directly impacts those engaged in farming and related activities, making option B the best descriptor of its function.

Other choices, while they reflect important aspects of policy or economic activity, do not accurately capture the primary role of the CAP. The regulation of international trade pertains more to trade agreements and global market dynamics rather than the specific agricultural support CAP provides. Promoting non-agricultural industries and supporting urban development diverge from the CAP’s focus on the agricultural sector, which is fundamentally about enhancing and stabilizing farming practices and livelihoods in rural areas.