Germany
May 3, 2007
Source:
GMO Compass
New surveys suggest that fewer
farmers in UK and Germany are opposed to planting genetically
modified crops than is often believed. 47 percent of surveyed
farmers in the UK and 33 percent in Germany are willing to
cultivate GM plants. However, 16 percent in the UK and 29
percent in Germany reject the concept of GM crops, and many
farmers are still undecided.
In the UK, the
British Grassland
Society polled its members on their attitude towards GM
crops. Surprisingly, strict opposition to GMOs was expressed by
responding farmers among only 16 percent, the half of whom are
producing organic goods. While 47 percent generally favour GM
crops, as many as three-quarters stated that they would grow GM
plants if consumers were willing to buy them. Jessica Buss,
director of the society, commented: "We were surprised that only
one-in-eight Grassland farmers responding said that they would
never grow GM forage crops."
In another survey, researchers
of the University of
Göttingen interviewed 370 farmers in the German north-west.
The majority, 38 percent, were undecided on this issue. However,
representing a fairly even split in decided attitudes, 33
percent of farmers welcomed GM crops and 29 percent rejected
them.
The study also found that
besides economic aspects and personal views on GMOs, many
different factors are considered by farmers in their decision on
GM crops.
University of Göttingen
report (in German)
Zur Akzeptanz von gentechnisch
verändertem Saatgut in der deutschen Landwirtschaft –
Ergebnisse einer empirischen Studie
RELATED RELEASE:
Deutsche Landwirte nicht immer gegen
Gentechnik: Befragung bei Landwirten zu Akzeptanz
gentechnisch veränderten Saatgutes
Link to the
British Grassland Society
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