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GMfood? it depends whos asking

- 07 March 2000
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7 March 2000



GMfood? — it depends who’s asking

By FWi staff

CONFLICTING pictures of public attitudes towards genetically modified crops emerge in new reports from organisations at opposing ends of the GM debate.

Food firms across Europe are turning their backs on GM ingredients and derivatives, claims environmental group Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE).

But according to CropGen, a new organisation funded by biotech companies to make the scientific case for GM crops, almost half the population of Britain would happily eat GM foods.

These surveys are published on the day the All-party Agriculture Committee of MPs said confusion and hysteria have clouded the real GM issues and called for rational debate.

FoEE claims most leading food manufacturers are aware of opposition to GM produce throughout Europe and have been forced to take action.

Its report coincides with the launch of a new campaign in 21 countries across the Continent calling for a halt to the pollution of food and the environment by GM organisms.

FoEE warns that, although consumers do not want GM food, they are still eating food made with GM crops as many companies are not sourcing derivatives such as oils and lecithin from GM-free crops.

These are not subject to EU GM labelling regulations and there is no legal requirement to tell consumers if their food contains them.

GM campaign co-ordinator for FoEE Liana Stupples said: “This survey shows how food manufacturers are being forced to listen to European consumers increasingly concerned about potential health and environmental damage from GM food and crops.

“However, food containing GM ingredients and derivatives and ingredients from animals reared on GM animal feed is still being sold to European consumers who dont want it.

“Consumers must continue to make it clear that they do not want these foods. Then companies and politicians will be forced to act.”

But 46% of British consumers do not share FoEE concerns and would happily to eat food containing genetically modified ingredients, says CropGen.

It reports that in Scotland 55% of consumers said they would eat GM food, and the figure was even greater at 61% in the north east.

But there is less enthusiasm in the Yorkshire area where only 35% of those interviewed said they would eat GM food.

CropGen panel chairman Professor Vivian Moses said these findings cast doubt on previous surveys claiming the vast majority of the British public rejected GM foods.

“But it also shows a demand for more information,” He added.

“In fact 63% of people surveyed said they had insufficient information to reach a firm conclusion about the risks and the benefits of eating GM foods.”

CropGen launches a website and consumer information line on Wednesday (9 March.)

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