Phil Schmidt became agitated last week when he heard a radio discussion about genetically modified organisms.
The courier truck driver from Souris, Man., usually does the grocery shopping for his family of four. He has little concern about the food he eats and expresses confidence in the science of genetic modification.
What aggravates him as an average Canadian consumer, he said, is the way he believes critics of the technology are playing on the fears of consumers.
“It bugs me when I see people driving the fears of other people to get their opinion across,” Schmidt said.
Read Also
Europe holds promise for Canadian lentils
Pulse Canada is trying to help boost lentil consumption in Europe, which is already the fourth largest market.
“When we start modifying ourselves and working on human genes, then I’ll get a little concerned.”
Schmidt is fascinated by genetics and he reads what he can on the topic. News reports about the GMO debate always pique his interest and he figures critics of GMOs are overlooking the benefits of the technology.
He expects one of those benefits to be less reliance on chemicals through the development of pest resistant crops.
“People who are in fear over (GMOs) should just relax,” he said, insisting he has faith in Canada’s food regulatory system.
“The foods wouldn’t be in stores if they were poisonous to you.”
Clearly, not everyone shares Schmidt’s comfort with the technology or the food regulatory system.
Results of a public opinion poll released last week show that Canadians who are aware of the issue are more likely to identify the risks than the benefits.
Concerns included doubts about food safety and uncertainty about the long-term impact of genetically modified foods.
The Angus Reid poll found that 78 percent of Canadians are aware of the GMO issue and 70 percent of that group said they would be less likely to buy a food product if they knew it contained genetically modified ingredients.
Only four percent said they would be somewhat more likely to buy a product if it contained GM ingredients. Less than one percent would be much more likely to buy a product for that reason.
“There hasn’t been enough communication about the potential benefits of biotechnology,” said Joanna Karman, senior vice-president of Angus Reid’s agri-food division.
“On the whole, consumer benefits aren’t the thing standing out in people’s minds.”
The consumer wariness, exposed during a survey of Canadian consumer opinion in late November and early December, has become a factor for many farmers as they decide whether or not to plant GM varieties this spring.
Miami, Man., corn grower Alan Kennedy understands the uncertainty.
“It creates confusion in the market, which is already a complicated jungle.”
