Archived press release

'genetically-engineered food? no thanks!', say consumers

28 May 1997

Adrian Bebb, Food and Biotechnology Campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said:

" The public are rightly alarmed about what they regard as this 'unnatural' food -hardly surprising given the risks and recent scandals involving food production and farming methods. This research sends a clear message to supermarkets and to farmers - don't stock the stuff and don't plant it!"

The research also reveals that consumers think that:

.profit is the main reason genetically-engineered food crops have been developed;
.customers should at least be able to choose between genetically-engineered and'normal' foodstuffs by segregation and labelling;
.seven out of ten of those aware of genetically-engineered foodstuffs hadn't anything positive to say about them. The common negative view being that they were'unnatural' and there were unknown risks;
.in the 'hierarchy of trust' identified, environmental groups were seen as foremost in having consumers' best interests at heart, whilst in declining order: the supermarkets, food manufacturers and Government had consumers' interests least at heart.

Adrian Bebb continued:

"Sainsbury's promotes itself on providing 'good food'. This useful research makes it plain that their customers do not think genetically-engineered food is'good'. All the major retailers should now act on these findings and resist the invasion of more alien foodstuffs onto their shelves."

MORE>>

Friends of the Earth's concerns on genetically-engineered foodstuffs are as follows:

.field trials are being conducted in the UK without adequate public scrutiny [2];
.human and animal safety has apparently not been fully assessed [3];
.the consequences of releasing genetically modified organisms into the environment may have serious implications for wildlife and farming [4];
.these "unnatural" food crops are likely to lead to even more intensive farming and run contrary to, and may compromise, more sustainable methods such as organic farming [5].

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1.Results of the Sainsbury's poll were presented at a Workshop on GMOs organised by Sainsbury's on Friday 23rd May at The Brewery, Chiswell St, London. The survey was carried out by Market Measures Ltd. The survey interviewed 647 respondents at 60 sample points across the country. Friends of the Earth congratulates Sainsbury's on carrying out and publicising this timely and valuable research.

2.Field trials currently being conducted in the UK include sugar beet and oilseed rape.Some of these have apparently been given the go-ahead before the public consultation period has elapsed.

3.Some applications use antibiotic 'marker' genes, giving rise to the possibility of antibiotic resistance developing amongst harmful bacteria.

4.Research in Scotland has demonstrated that pollen from genetically-modified oilseed rape can travel up to 2.5 km with a potential to cross-pollinate other non-modified crops or related weed species with unknown environmental consequences.

5.Genetic modification is being used to introduce herbicide resistance into crop plants to facilitate weed control after the crop has emerged from the soil. This will further emphasise current reliance on agrochemicals.

[Index]

---

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust