Market loss is inevitable because many consumers do not want GM foods.
Retailers prefer non-GM as consumers request non-GM. Because it is too expensive to have both a non-GM and a GM option, retailers prefer the fastest moving item of non-GM.
Companies do not want their brand name tarnished by being associated with a GM product that consumers do not want as this will cost them sales.
Supply chains prefer non-GM as there is no market resistance, however there is a problem in supplying uncontaminated non-GM products in some countries (eg. US) and with some commodities (eg. Soy).
Farmers prefer to supply non-GM however it is extremely difficult and expensive to prevent contamination of a preferred non-GM product. Some countries (such as Australia) have not approved GM crops and are able to market as non-GM with no additional costs.
Foster M. (2002). Genetically Modified Grains. ABARE Research Report 01.10
"Consumer attitudes appear to be hardening against GM products, even in North America where consumption of GM grains has been very large. According to Angus Reid Group 2000, US consumers with negative views grew from 45 percent of the population in 1998 to 51 percent in 2000. The trend is even more pronounced in Canada – 59 percent of consumers in 2000 held negative views about GM foods, compared with 45 percent in 1998"
"Proportion of Consumers who see the trend toward genetically modified foods as negative" - Brazil 45%, United States 51%, Australia 51%, United Kingdom 58%, Canada 59%, France 70%, Germany 72%, Japan 82%. (Interpreted from Foster M. (2002). Genetically Modified Grains. ABARE Research Report 01.10 pp29)
A recent Choice consumer survey
(here) of 645 members confirms the Australian consumer rejection of GM foods.
Opinion on eating GM food:
I have serious concerns and very worried - 47%
I have some concerns and are somewhat worried - 37%
I have no concerns and not at all worried - 11%
I don't know enough about the issues to have an opinion - 5%
This survey also revealed that 75% of consumers want GM canola oil labelled.
Our domestic market is significant, why would we want to jeopardise it?
"A survey undertaken during 2003 and 2004 showed that the public in the two regions were strongly opposed to GM food. The survey was carried out in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 1,000 participants, representing the North African and West Asian regions." More
(here)
Julie Newman
Network of Concerned Farmers
