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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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