May 13, 2005. Today Greenpeace Russia released results of an
opinion poll on genetically modified (GM) food products. According
to the All-Russian Center for Public Opinion Research (VCIOM),
every third Russian citizen (31%) had never heard of GM products
before the poll; 95% of those who are aware of the GM issue are
strongly against or seriously concerned about GM food products.
On the whole in Russia more than 65% of respondents consider
such products unacceptable. Only 3% of respondents are ready to eat
transgenes.
The negative attitude to GM products directly depends on how
well informed Russian citizens are. The most informed are people
with higher education and university undergraduates, well-to-do
people and those living in big cities.
The most serious concern is about the use of GM ingredients in
baby food. 90% of well-informed respondents agreed about necessity
to impose moratorium on such products in the Russian market. In all
groups of respondents - formed according to sex, age, type of the
place of residence- two thirds stand against transgenes in baby
food. Only 11% respondents consider them admissible.
Besides the all-Russian research, an experts' survey was held
among state emplyees, doctors, farmers and managers of food
supermarkets. Most experts (76%) support a ban on GM crops
production in Russia, until their impact on human health and the
environment is specified. Most of the ban's supporters are doctors
(86%). Other groups of experts also showed their serious concern:
76% of state employees, 74% of managers, 58% of farmers.
"The research is highly relevant at the moment", says Natalya
Olefirenko, Greenpeace Russia GE Campaign Coordinator. "In 2005 a
legislative base (technical regulations) is going to be developed.
It will regulate production and use of GM food products, baby food
production, as well as GM crops production in Russia. We have to
know and consider opinion of Russian consumers and experts while
developing these regulations".
Additional information
The research, where information about the all-Russian
representative and experts' polls was included, is held for the
first time by request of Greenpeace.
In the framework of the all-Russian poll, 1567 people were
interviewed in 100 cities and towns of 40 regions, krais and
republics of Russia, in compliance with quotas for sex, age and
education, according to information provided by the Federal State
Statistics Service about the adult population of the Russian
Federation.
Respondents were asked three questions:
1. Do you know anything about GM food products?
2. Do you agree to eat food with GM ingredients?
3. Do you support a ban on use of GM ingredients in baby
food?
During the experts' survey 200 respondents were interviewed by
phone in 8 regions (in Voronezh, Yekaterinburg, Murmansk, Nizhny
Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Saint Petersburg, Saratov, Smolensk - 20
people in each city, in Moscow - 40 people). The interviews were
held in 4 target groups:
1. farmers, agricultural workers
2. managers of food supermarkets;
3. doctors;
4. deputies, state employees (officials) in the area of medicine
and agriculture.
In Moscow 10 people from every target group were interviewed, in
other regions - 5 people from every group.
Experts were asked one question:
- Do you support a ban on GM crops production in Russia, until
their exact impact on human health and the environment is
specified.
For further information please contact:
2574116 - Greenpeace press officer Maya Kolikova; project
coordinator Natalia Olefirenko.< food="" gm="" eat="" not=""
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