Most consumers are not concerned about buying GM foods

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Most consumers are not concerned about buying GM foods

Thursday, 16th October 2008

Most consumers are not concerned about buying GM foods, according to a new EU study. Roger Helmer, Conservative MEP for the East Midlands, welcomed the new study on the question “Do European Consumers Buy GM Foods?”

The Consumer Choice study was designed to observe and analyse the behaviour and attitudes of European consumers towards GM labelled products since their introduction in 2004. In particular, consumer perception was looked at as an important element in shaping the opinion of European policy makers.

The academics conducting the study – Dr Vivian Moses, from London; Dr Victoria Wibeck, from Sweden; and Prof Louis Kembow, from Spain -- presented their findings to initiate a policy debate on this controversial subject. Their study explored whether consumers bought GM-labelled products when presented with them in the familiar commercial environment of a supermarket or corner grocery store.

There are at least 69 grocery products on sale in Europe labelled as containing genetically modified ingredients, mostly soya based. The study highlighted:

•	Although the number and range of genetically modified products is limited, where they are available, consumers buy them.
•	Whatever people say in opinion polls, most do not actively avoid GM foods in the grocery stores, suggesting that they are not greatly concerned with the GM issue. Also contrary to previous beliefs, other studies have confirmed that, unprompted, GM does not appear high in a list of worries about food.
•	Retailers consider them to be worth stocking and consumers must buy them in sufficient quantities to meet commercial requirements.

In addition to comparing claimed and actual consumer behaviour, the Consumer Choice study also considered the political and media environments in the ten European countries it focused on, noting a considerable shift in sentiment in some markets.

For example in the UK, between May 2006 and April 2007, media reports which treated GM foods and crops unfavourably outnumbered favourable reports by roughly 2:1. Since then the trend has reversed. This swing in media sentiment has been matched by a shift in political sentiment, with government ministers and scientific advisors explicitly favouring consideration of GM developments.

Mr Helmer said he welcomed a balanced debate on the production and trading of GM products, particularly at a time of uncertain food security and rising prices.

He said: “I very much welcome the debate on the production and trading of GM products, particularly at a time of uncertainty in food security and rising prices.

“Growing economic, social and legislative pressures means that we must facilitate a real, well-balanced debate when it comes to agri-food and fuel crops. I recognise that this is a nationally politically sensitive issue - but that is not a reason to shy away from it.

“During my tenure as an MEP I have always supported sound science. It is for that reason that I support the publication of this Consumer Choice report.”