Young Finns negative about GM fed pigs
Finns take a generally negative view of meat raised with the help of genetically modified feed. According to a survey commissioned by the Finnish news source Helsingin Sanomat, half of the population completely disapproves meat raised with GM feed. More than 90% feel that meat raised with such feed should have a label that informs the consumer of its use.
Most pork sold in Finland will soon
be raised with the help of genetically modified feed, as
announced that they will be introducing GM soybean feed, which is cheaper than
the traditional kind. However, the survey shows that barely over
one quarter of Finns approve of the use of GM feed in agriculture. Taking the
most positive attitudes are men under the age of 25. Awareness of GM food grows
with age. Less than 20% of the respondents over the age of 65 approve of the use
of GM grain in animal feed. GM is cheaper
The
Meat Board of the Finnish Food and Drink
Industries’ Federation calculates that the price of pork chop would increase
by less than one per cent – or about eight cents a kilo – if producers were to
stick to non-GM feed. However, the association notes that the difference will
grow, as the price of traditional soy feed rises faster than that of the GM
variety. In the future it might be difficult to find soybeans whose genes have
not been manipulated in some way.Willing to
pay
The poll
suggests that in spite of
the price difference, there will still be a market for meat produced in the
traditional manner, as 72% say that they are willing to pay at least a little
bit more for meat if they can be sure that no GM feed has been used in raising
it. One in six says that they would be willing to pay significantly more for
GM-free meat. Women were less concerned about price considerations than men. The
most negative view of the prospect of more expensive meat are young respondents,
and those living in the north of
to play a role in how much more a person was willing to pay for non-GM
pork.
Meat Board chairman Pasi
Lähdetie
is not worried by the results of the poll. He says that
views expressed by people in surveys are not always reflected in consumer
habits. “We have experiences on similar surveys concerning organic meat.
Compared with the positive opinions, consumption of organic meat has been very
low”, Lähdetie points out.To receive the free animal feed newsletter subscribe
here
be raised with the help of genetically modified feed, as
Finland
announced that they will be introducing GM soybean feed, which is cheaper than
the traditional kind. However, the survey shows that barely over
one quarter of Finns approve of the use of GM feed in agriculture. Taking the
most positive attitudes are men under the age of 25. Awareness of GM food grows
with age. Less than 20% of the respondents over the age of 65 approve of the use
of GM grain in animal feed. GM is cheaper
The
Meat Board of the Finnish Food and Drink
Industries’ Federation calculates that the price of pork chop would increase
by less than one per cent – or about eight cents a kilo – if producers were to
stick to non-GM feed. However, the association notes that the difference will
grow, as the price of traditional soy feed rises faster than that of the GM
variety. In the future it might be difficult to find soybeans whose genes have
not been manipulated in some way.Willing to
pay
The poll
suggests that in spite of
the price difference, there will still be a market for meat produced in the
traditional manner, as 72% say that they are willing to pay at least a little
bit more for meat if they can be sure that no GM feed has been used in raising
it. One in six says that they would be willing to pay significantly more for
GM-free meat. Women were less concerned about price considerations than men. The
most negative view of the prospect of more expensive meat are young respondents,
and those living in the north of
Finland
to play a role in how much more a person was willing to pay for non-GM
pork.
Meat Board chairman Pasi
Lähdetie
is not worried by the results of the poll. He says that
views expressed by people in surveys are not always reflected in consumer
habits. “We have experiences on similar surveys concerning organic meat.
Compared with the positive opinions, consumption of organic meat has been very
low”, Lähdetie points out.To receive the free animal feed newsletter subscribe
here
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