The government has published the results of a nation-wide period of consultation with all stakeholders in the food chain this week, and nine out of 10 people said they would prefer a life without GM crops.

There were conclusive results to all of the key questions put forward, as the extent of the nation's concern became clear.

• 93 per cent believe not enough is known about GM foods

• 91 per cent said there are likely to be negative effects on the environment from GM farming

• 85 per cent believe that GM crops would benefit producers, but not the consumer

• 93 per cent said that profit, and not public interest, is the biggest driver of the GM movement

• 86 per cent would not be happy to eat GM food

• 84 per cent said that GM farming is an unacceptable interference with nature

These findings will be a blow to the government, which as reported on freshinfo last Sunday is thought to be broadly in favour of lifting the moratorium on GM crops that has been in place for five years.

The public, however, has spoken and it will be extremely difficult to progress the issue without conclusive scientific proof that addresses some of the scepticism shining through in the responses above.

Topics