In the EU-25 there are (2006) about 9,7 million farms and 9,5 million farmers. About 90 per cent of the total surface area of EU countries is classified as rural area. The common agricultural policy of the EU (CAP) aims to develop agricultural production within the Community in a balanced way, also to take better account of the environment and animal welfare. One important objective of the CAP is to enhance the viability of the countryside. In 2006 the expenditure of the common agricultural policy actually incurred totalled 51 billion euros, which is 42 per cent of the total expenditure.