Fewer farmer objections to GM crops

A national survey of Australian farmers' views on genetically modified (GM) crops has identified a marked shift in sentiment during the past 12 months, with fewer farmers now opposed.

The National Attitudes Survey, conducted by the influential WA-based farm-improvement organisation The Kondinin Group, found that the percentage of Australian farmers objecting to the introduction of GM crops has fallen from 45 per cent in 2002 to 34 per cent in 2003.

In 2002, only 19 per cent of farmers supported the introduction of GM crops. In the latest survey, the percentage of pro-GM farmers has risen to 31.5 per cent; support is now divided approximately equally between support, opposition and indecision.

The percentage of undecided respondents (33.5 per cent) remains almost unchanged, according to Kondinin Group CEO Dr William Ryan.

On a state-by-state basis, the debate is split evenly between support, opposition and undecided camps in Queensland, Victoria and WA, while the strongest opposition occurs in NSW and South Australia.