NEWS: GM Crops: Half of UK farmers prepared to grow genetically modified forage crops
Farmers Guardian
April 17, 2007
Excerpt…
The survey of society members found that 47 per cent would grow GM crops, 37 per cent ‘were not convinced but could be persuaded’ and 16 per cent were vehemently against the idea.
“We were surprised that only one-in-eight grassland farmers responding said they would never grow GM forage crops,” said Jessica Buss, society director of the society.
“More than half of these declared they were organic producers, and perhaps this indicates why they would be against such new technology.”
Three-quarters of the farmers said they would only use GM varieties if consumers accept the technology.
“So it is obvious that more positive messages about GM crops would need to be forthcoming for most farmers to feel comfortable about sowing crops,” she said.
“Farmers’ priorities for benefits of GM crops they would favour also proved different to the expected order – increased crop yield was close to the bottom rather than the top of preferences….”
Read the full article at Farmers Guardian.
