GM food debate report goes to minister

Thursday 17 July 2003

The Food Standards Agency has submitted its report on the Agency’s activities on GM food to Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett.

The report represents the Agency’s contribution to the public dialogue on genetic modification, launched by the Government in July 2002. It draws together and summarises the substantial amount of qualitative and quantitative consumer research carried out by the Agency on GM food.

This research was carried out to independently assess people’s views, especially those whose voices are not often heard, on the acceptability of GM food and how this relates to consumer choice.

The Board of the Agency considered the research at a public meeting in Cardiff in May. The report attached below reflects the Board’s views on the work.