Shoppers willing to embrace science as food prices rocket

The consuming public are more willing to embrace science and technology in agriculture and food production in response to record food price rises and the growing global food security threat.

This was the key message delivered by Dominic Dyer, chief executive of the Crop Protection Association, at the Question of Food panel debate at the Oswestry Food Festival in Shropshire on Friday 8 July.

Mr Dyer was speaking alongside John Vidal, Environment Editor of the Guardian, Guy Mason, Head of Government Affairs at Morrisons, former actress and environmental campaigner Tracey Worcester, and Charlotte Hollins, head of the Fordhall Farm Community Land Initiative. The debate took place in front of a capacity audience of over 250 people at the Memorial Hall in Oswestry.

Referring to the recent findings of an independent consumer survey carried out by Network Research on behalf of the Crop Protection Association, Mr Dyer said:

’There has been a huge shift in public opinion on the issue of food production over the past few years, as the era of cheap food comes to an end and concerns grow about the impact of population increase, natural disasters, climate change, water shortages and the threat of terrorism on the global food supply chain.

’Shoppers are less willing to pay a price premium for organic foods which they no longer see as a healthier, safer and more environmentally sustainable option, compared to conventional food production.

’In fact a majority of consumers now agree that science should be applied to help boost food production and believe the Government should take the lead in using scientific innovation and technology to maintain a reliable supply of high quality affordable food.

’Although consumers rightly want assurances that the use of these scientific technologies is properly regulated and controlled, they do recognise the growing importance of pesticides in protecting crops and the potential for genetic modification to increase food production, whilst reducing the pressure on limited land, water and energy resources.

’The global food security crisis is now a major issue of public concern and people are looking for scientific solutions to how we produce more food, protect the environment and curb food price inflation,’ concluded Mr Dyer.