Well informed Farmers and Consumers are positive about GM Crops in Europe and Africa

Authors

  • G. Gheysen
  • J. Maes
  • M. Valcke
  • E.I.R. Sanou
  • S. Speelman
  • Marc Heijde

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21825/af.v32i2.15766

Abstract

Genetically modified (GM) crops are cultivated globally on more than 185 million hectares, but the use of GM crops in Europe and Africa is very limited. Politicians are reluctant to allow such crops because they fear negative public reaction. The political hostility in the EU towards GM crops also has a significant impact on how African policy makers form their opinions for accepting GM crops in their own countries. However, studies reveal that specific types of GM food are welcomed by consumers and that few Europeans avoid GM labels when buying food. Similarly, African farmers and consumers are generally positive about GM crops. Policy makers should take these results into account when a decision needs to be made on whether or not to allow GM crop cultivation in their country. KEY WORDS: ACCEPTANCE, AFRICA, CONSUMERS, EUROPE, FARMERS, GM CROPS

Author Biographies

G. Gheysen

 Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium  International Plant Biotechnology Outreach, VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie), Belgium

J. Maes

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie), Belgium

M. Valcke

Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium

E.I.R. Sanou

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium

S. Speelman

Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium

Marc Heijde

International Plant Biotechnology Outreach, VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie), Belgium Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Belgium

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Published

2019-12-18

How to Cite

Gheysen, G., Maes, J., Valcke, M., Sanou, E., Speelman, S., & Heijde, M. (2019). Well informed Farmers and Consumers are positive about GM Crops in Europe and Africa. frika ocus, 32(2). https://doi.org/10.21825/af.v32i2.15766

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 2 (2019): Scientific Innovation for a Sustainable Development of African Agriculture

Section

Articles

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