By Paul Andersen

A PUBLIC SURVEY on non-food agriculture has revealed widespread concern about the next generation of genetically modified crops. The UK survey, carried out by the Agriculture Environment and Biotechnology Commission, revealed that the public thought non-food crops could play an important role in the future of UK agriculture. But the groups interviewed said they were suspicious that non-food cropping would be used as a “backdoor route” to the introduction of the next generation of GMs. GM became a dominant issue in the study despite the fact that many non-food uses of crops do not require it, said commission chairman Malcolm Grant. “People are clearly wary of using GM in non-food as well as food agriculture, and suspicious of the motives behind its use,” said Prof Grant. The AEBC felt that public support for non-food crops hinged on the use of genetic modification techniques. “The public threshold for acceptability of a non-food use was raised considerably by the involvement of GM, and only overwhelming benefits, such as a cure for a major disease, were thought acceptable in this context. “Objections to the use of GM organisms in closed conditions were less strong, and people generally felt that GM research should continue,” he added. The survey”s findings drew a mixed response from the biotechnology industry. The Agricultural Biotechnology Council said it welcomed “parts” of the report from the AEBC. In particular it said it was pleased at the public”s appreciation of the need for research and the use of genetic modification to provide cheap medicines in the future. paul.andersen@rbi.co.uk