Majority of New South Wales farmers support GM crops with regulatory approval

August 18, 2003

A majority of New South Wales farmers support GM crop trials and the commercial release of GM crops if they receive regulatory approval, according to the results of the first nationwide survey of farmers’ attitudes to gene technology.

Speaking at the launch of a nation-wide study of crop growers’ attitudes to GM crops today, Mr Craig Cormick, Manager of Public Awareness for Biotechnology Australia, said the survey showed that NSW farmers’ attitudes to GM crops were different to those often portrayed in the media and by interest groups.

“There’s been a perception out there that the vast majority of NSW farmers are strongly opposed to GM crops,” he said. “However, this survey shows the reality is more complex and farmers will respond differently to different scenarios.”

“For example 50 per cent of farmers support growing GM crops if they receive regulatory approval but when the question focuses only on whether they support the commercial use of GM crops, 38 per cent agree with 55 per cent opposed.”

“We initially asked all farmers if they supported or opposed GM crops. We followed this up by examining their awareness of the risks and benefits and what they considered were the key impediments or advantages to them adopting the technology. The survey concluded by asking farmers whether they supported or opposed the commercial release of GM crops to assess how their attitudes changed once they had an opportunity to consider the issues.”

In NSW farmers’ initial response was 25 per cent support, compared to 37 per cent when re-asked after consideration of the key issues.

“This indicates that NSW farmers have adopted a pragmatic approach to GM crops and are weighing up their risks and benefits,” said Mr Cormick.

The survey showed a big difference in attitudes between the states, with much higher levels of support for the new varieties in South Australia (51 per cent), Western Australia (54 per cent) and Queensland (59 per cent), than in NSW and Victoria (37 per cent). 

“The debate about GM crops has been dominated by activists who support or oppose the technology,” said Mr Cormick. “We felt it was about time to find out what ordinary farmers thought.”

“Some small-scale surveys had been done previously but they did not give a full picture of feelings about biotechnology in regional Australia. This survey went beyond a simple for or against analysis and asked questions in different ways to evoke deeper responses.”

Key benefits cited by NSW farmers were reduced use of chemicals (65 per cent), increased effectiveness of insect and weed control (59 per cent), and increased yields (64 per cent).

Key risks cited by NSW farmers were performance not proven (17 per cent), market access limitations (25 per cent), and potential for pollen flow between GM and conventional crops (10 per cent).

The survey found that 21 per cent of farmers nationally were considering growing GM crops, based on expected production benefits, such as increased yield and reduced chemical use, with a lesser emphasis on a potential to increase profits.

While 74 per cent of farmers were not considering growing GM crops at this stage, half would change their mind if:

  • overseas market access was assured;

  • the performance of these new varieties was proven; and

  • consumer concerns were addressed.

One of they key findings of the national survey was that farmers need access to more information about GM crops in order to make a decision. Around seven out of ten growers wanted to see more material about these new varieties, particularly information which showed both the benefits and the risks.

“The debate about GM crops has become polarised between supporters and opponents of the technology,” said Mr Cormick. “As a result, the facts are sometimes distorted or lost in the arguments, leading many farmers to be confused about GM.”

The survey found that nationally more than half the farmers surveyed supported the growing of GM crops with regulatory approval, and 62 per cent supported field trials of GM crop varieties.

Biotechnology Australia has a number of fact sheets available on issues such as market access and agronomic performance which are of key concern to farmers. They summarise work done by ABARE as well as Biotechnology Australia’s consumer attitude research. To receive this information contact the Gene Technology Information Service on 1800 631 276.

The survey, conducted in May and June this year by Market Attitude Research Services, involved a telephone survey of 500 crop growers from all states and territories on their attitudes to GM crops. Cereal, legume, feed, oilseed, vegetable and fruit growers were surveyed.

For further information, the results of the survey can be accessed at: www.biotechnology.gov.au under ‘What’s New’.

Related releases:

A PowerPoint document (200KB) displaying graphs and charts is available at http://www.biotechnology.gov.au/library/content_library/BA_Media_Farmersurvey_graphs.ppt

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