Report finds European acceptance of biotechnology increased
The European Commission’s Eurobarometer on public perceptions of life sciences and biotechnology, released on November 11th, indicated that confidence and optimism are on the rise.
The survey, conducted in February of this year, showed that 80% of Europeans are in favour of or are unopposed to biotechnology. However, findings also highlighted that Europeans are still hungry for facts and communication about the technology.
Commenting on the findings, Nathalie Moll, EuropaBio Secretary General, said: “These findings are very encouraging. They show that Europeans increasingly understand and appreciate the benefits that biotechnology brings to them in terms of healthier, longer lives, cleaner, greener products and processes and increased food and energy security. In particular, we are delighted by the overwhelming support for medical biotechnology and for the strong support shown for crop-based and non-food based biofuels. Whilst the rest of the world, year upon year for 14 consecutive years, increasingly adopts agricultural biotech, in Europe the figure continues to hover around the 40% approval mark. Given that Europe has access to only a fraction of the agricultural biotech products on the market compared to the rest of the world, it is even more crucial that we communicate the benefits of the technology with respect to the sustainable use of our natural resources in agriculture, our food security and our economy.”
Source: Press Release EuropaBio, 15th November
To the Eurobarometer