South Australian farmers more supportive of GM crops

August 18, 2003

South Australian crop growers are more likely to support the introduction of genetically modified crops than the national average, according to the results of the first nationwide survey of farmers’ attitudes towards gene technology. 

Speaking at the launch of the survey in Adelaide today, Manager of Public Awareness for Biotechnology Australia, Mr Craig Cormick, said the survey showed that farmers’ attitudes to GM crops were different to those portrayed in the media and by interest groups.

“In contrast to those at the extreme ends of the debate, it appears that farmers have adopted a pragmatic approach to the technology and are weighing up the benefits and the risks,” said Mr Cormick

After considering the risks and benefits of GM crops, 51 per cent of South Australian farmers supported their commercial use in comparison to the national average of 42 per cent. There was a big difference in attitudes between the states, with much higher levels of support for the new varieties in South Australia, Western Australia (54 per cent) and Queensland (59 per cent), than in Victoria and NSW (37 per cent). 

“We initially asked all farmers if they supported or opposed GM crops,” said Mr Cormick. “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 the commercial release of GM crops, to assess how their attitudes changed once they had an opportunity to consider the issues.”

In South Australia farmers’ initial response was 28 per cent support, compared to 51 per cent when re-asked after consideration of the key issues.

“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 South Australian farmers were reduced use of chemicals (56 per cent), increased effectiveness of insect and weed control (61 per cent), and increased yields (65 per cent).

Key risks cited by South Australian farmers were performance not proven (24 per cent), market access limitations (16 per cent), and potential for pollen flow between GM and conventional crops (13 per cent).

The survey found that nationally 21 per cent of farmers 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 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

News release
6416c

OTHER RELEASES FROM THIS SOURCE

The news release or news item on this page is copyright © 2003 by the organization where it originated.
The content of the SeedQuest website is copyright © 1992-2003 by SeedQuest - All rights reserved
Fair Use Notice