KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES ABOUT GM CROPS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND CANEGROWERS IN QUEENSLAND

Consumers in Australia have expressed a range of concerns about the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops into the food chain. This is despite the potential for certain GM crops to contribute significantly to farmers' incomes and reduce environmental pressure in sensitive areas. In order to establish the level of public understanding about genetic modification of agricultural plants and assess the degree of concern about using GM organisms in Australian food production, a mail survey of a sample of the general population and of the canegrowing community in Queensland was undertaken. In general, respondents have a low level of knowledge about the use of gene technology and the regulatory agencies that control it. The level of approval towards the use of gene technology in agriculture and in food production varied according to the type of application. Applications that involved non-food products were likely to be more readily accepted than those involving food products. Canegrowers were also more likely to approve of the technology than respondents from the general public. Results also showed that most growers are more concerned with peripheral issues such as the length of time required to develop GM crops and public acceptance rather than with environmental issues or the technology per se. A large percentage of people remain neutral to the use of such technology, probably due to their low level of knowledge. As a result, there is a need to inform the public about this technology so they can make their own decision about the use of gene technology in agriculture and food production.