|
| |
67% OF FARMERS ARE READY TO GROW GMOS IMMEDIATELY
SAYS A DEMOSKOPEA SURVEY
67% OF FARMERS ARE READY TO GROW GMOS IMMEDIATELY SAYS
A DEMOSKOPEA SURVEY PRESENTED IN MILAN FOR THE ITALIAN BIOTECH ASSOCIATION
ASSOBIOTEC ON “MAIZE GROWERS’ PERCEPTION OF GMOS IN THE ITALIAN REGION OF
LOMBARDY”
Milan, 21 February 2008 – 67% of maize growers in the main maize growing region
of Italy, Lombardy, say they would be ready to cultivate GMOs immediately were
they given the chance. 74% of them are also in favour of running field trials of
GMOs in Italy so as to better understand the benefits.
These are the main findings of a survey on maize growers’ perception of GMOs
carried out on a representative sample of 532 farms in Lombardy by Demoskopea on
behalf of Assobiotec, the Italian association of biotechnology industries,
within Federchimica.
“The results show that the farmer base in Lombardy is open to innovation and
biotechnology” says Elisabetta Brambilla, the survey coordinator. According to
80,6% of maize growers “it is absurd to ban the cultivation of GMOs while
allowing their import for feed”. 75,9% “feel unfairly penalised compared with
farmers operating in other countries”. 75,6% consider GMOs “an innovative
agricultural instrument”. And the underlying feeling for 74,8% of the farmers is
that “farmers should be given the freedom to choose what to produce”.
“Demoskopea’s survey offers an insight into the high level of modernity,
innovation and awareness of our agricultural sector;” declares the president of
Assobiotec, Roberto Gradnik “this is very different from what is depicted by
many politicians and agricultural associations in Italy who are clearly pursuing
a prejudiced and ideological opposition to GMOs”.
According to Gradnik “the farming sector has confirmed its willingness to be
dynamic and innovative, being acutely aware that these are the tools required to
remain competitive on the increasingly international market that the farming
sector faces today”.
“Those who are trying to manage the damage caused by fungi and parasites day in
day out – continues Gradnik – can but appreciate the solutions offered by modern
biotechnology. Genetically improved maize is not only safe for humans and
animals but it offers economic benefits in terms of increased productivity given
the pest and disease pressure”.
“We hope that those responsible for the legislative framework in Italy will
finally end the ideological hostility against GMOs and allow the benefits to be
felt in Italy as well, starting with allowing field trials in the country. This
is no longer a request of industry alone, farmers are demanding the freedom to
choose as well” concludes the President of Assobiotec.
For more information please contact:
Mario Bonaccorso
Ufficio Stampa Assobiotec
Tel. 0234565336
Mob. 3477577569
m.bonaccorso@federchimica.it
www.assobiotec.it
| |
|
