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August 18, 2003
Victorian farmers are more evenly split on genetically modified
crops than previously thought, according to the results of the
first nationwide survey of farmers’ attitudes towards gene
technology.
After considering the risks and benefits of GM crops, 37 per
cent of Victorian farmers supported their commercial use, with
46 per cent opposed and 17 per cent unsure.
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 Victorian farmers’ attitudes to GM
crops were different to those portrayed in the media and by
interest groups.
“There’s been a perception out there that the vast majority of
Victorian farmers are strongly opposed to GM crops,” he said.
“However, this survey shows the reality is far more complex,
with growers divided between support and opposition to the new
varieties and a sizeable proportion yet to make up their minds.”
“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
Victoria, 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 Victorian 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 Victoria and NSW (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 Victorian farmers were reduced use of
chemicals (56 per cent), increased effectiveness of insect and
weed control (56 per cent), and increased yields (67 per cent).
Key
risks cited by Victorian farmers were performance not proven (22
per cent), market access limitations (11 per cent), and
potential for pollen flow between GM and conventional crops (8
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:
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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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