The results of a recent survey carried out by GMO Compass in 2008 on the use of plant biotech in Europe, show that European consumers' reservations about the use of genetically modified crops are declining in the face of mounting fears over a global food crisis. Of  5,435 ballots cast in five days, 83.9% voted for the utilisation of all technologies. A total of 84.3% of respondents said GM crops should be taken into consideration as an option to improve yields while protecting the environment at the same time. Only 10.5% voted against this option.
For more information please click here.

According to the latest UK Food Safety Agency survey (February 2008) on consumer perception on GMOs,  only one in five Britons is worried about the dangers of genetically modified food. Just 20% of 2,627 people questioned by the Food Standards Agency said they were concerned compared to 25% in 2006. The 20% figure is the lowest yet recorded in the agency's annual consumer attitudes survey, and fewer than half the 43% who voiced unease in 2000. Please click here for the full report.

The latest Eurobarometer survey (2008) on “Attitudes of European citizens towards the environment” (1) shows:

¨ Fewer Europeans are worried about GMOS - just 20% - down from 24% in 2004

¨  26% consider that there is a lack of information relating to the use of GM in farming
    (down from 40% in 2004)

Eurobarometer survey concludes that Europeans in general tend to feel that they lack information about GMOs but at the same time they express relatively low levels of concern when compared to other environmental worries. Similar studies, recently conducted in the UK (2) and Sweden (3) have shown that:

¨ Less than 3% of UK respondents mention GM as a concern in relation to food
¨ 20% of Britons are worried about GM foods – down from 25% in 2006
¨ 34% of Swedes believe GM food is absolutely safe, an increase from 9% in 1998

These recent Eurobarometer figures and similar surveys show Europeans are becoming less worried about GMOs, (e.g. down from 24% in 2004 to 20% in 2007) and more trusting in the safety of GM  technology (increase from 9% in 1998 to 34% in 2007 in Sweden).

When asked to rank the 5 out of 15 main environmental issues,  Climate Change is the main issue Europeans are most worried about and it is rising (47% in 2004 to 57% in 2008).
Water Pollution comes in second followed by Air Pollution. 

Click here to find out how GMOs can help address these issues.....

(1)"Attitudes of European citizens towards the environment” , Eurobarometer study 2008

(2) "GM Foods: What Europeans Really Think: An analysis of the progression of European consumer attitudes toward GM foods”, Peter Hutton, August 2006

(3) New consumer survey show increased acceptance, Sweden, September 2007 (available in Swedish only)

 67% of Italian maize growers ready to grow GMOs, says a DEMOSKOPEA survey
67% of maize growers in the main maize growing region of Italy, Lombardy, say they would be ready to cultivate GMOs immediately were they given the chance. 74% of them are also in favour of running field trials of GMOs in Italy so as to better understand the benefits.
For the English version of the press release click here.