Young Scots ‘support GM technology’

The majority of young Scots are in favour of GM technology, according to a new survey.

The survey of more than 1,600 people aged between 18 and 30, carried out on behalf of the Agricultural Biotechnology Council (ABC), found only 20% of respondents objected to the use of gene editing and GM.

Just over half of respondents aged 18-24 agreed that gene editing and GM could play a major role in making UK farming more sustainable for the future.

Two-thirds of respondents supported the use of innovations such as unmanned aerial vehicles, while only a quarter objected to the use of self-driving tractors on farms.

The use of drones in livestock farming to count sheep was supported by 67% of respondents, while 65% were in favour of the use of drones in arable farming to assess, monitor and spray crops.

ABC chairman Mark Buckingham said: “We are delighted to see young people embrace technology as part of the future of farming.

“Using cutting-edge technology and growing techniques will enable the UK to deal with the serious challenges of keeping our farmers competitive, maintaining a safe, affordable food supply, and protecting our natural environment.

“With Brexit on the horizon, techniques such as editing individual genes in crops to make them more resistant to diseases are going to be essential to help British farmers and scientists lead the world in agri-science.”

The results come as Defra concludes its public consultation into what future agricultural policy should look like post-Brexit.

The proposals put forward by Defra Secretary Michael Gove recognise that developing and adopting the next generation of food and farming technology could reduce the impact of pests and diseases and improve the UK’s competitiveness.

ABC is calling on the UK and Scottish governments to use the UK’s exit from the EU, and the reset of agricultural policy, as an opportunity to take advantage of technologies that have previously been blocked at EU level.

Defra Secretary Michael Gove.