EU public still wary of genetically modified organisms

Some 58% of European citizens are opposed to the use of genetically modified organisms in agriculture, while 21% are in favour, according to a Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission in March. Some 9% of respondents say that they have never heard of GMOs. The survey was based on interviews of nearly 27,000 people in November and December 2007.

Opposition to GMOs is most prevalent in Slovenia (82%) and Cyprus (81%). Those who express more concern tend to also feel that they lack information on the use of GMOs in farming, the report notes. Malta, Portugal and Spain hold the mildest opinions on the issue, which is mainly explained by the high share of respondents admitting that they have never heard of GMOs or saying that they do not have an opinion for or against, the survey concludes.

However, GMO and pesticide issues generate relatively low levels of concern across the EU when they are discussed in the context of other environmental problems, the survey finds. When respondents were asked to select the five main environmental issues that worry them, 23% chose agricultural pollution from the use of pesticides and fertilisers, compared with 26% in 2004, while 20% cited the use of GMOs in farming, down from 24%. Both issues were ranked lower than climate change (57%), water (42%) and air (40%) pollution, man-made disasters, such as major oil spills or industrial accidents (39%), and the health impact of chemicals in everyday products (32%).