Support for lifting of moratorium is growing

Support for lifting of moratorium is growing

New research by Colmar Brunton for TV-One News shows that public support for the end of the moratorium on applications for commercial release of GM organisms is growing, says the Chairman of the Life Sciences Network, Dr William Rolleston.

“The latest research shows public support has increased dramatically to 39% compared to the 24% level of support shown by a similar study undertaken by the Green Party a year ago.

“Opposition to the expiry of the moratorium is down to 53% from 64%. The numbers are all trending in the right direction.

“This shows the Government’s messages about what will happen at the end of the moratorium are starting to gain some traction.

“It’s clear that more and more people now appreciate that the end of the moratorium won’t bring a big change. Developers will still need to satisfy ERMA that any risks associated with what they propose can be managed. ERMA will now have a much wider range of regulatory tools available to it to make sure the risk management is effective.

“I believe the survey results are consistent with a growing realisation among the public that a case by case assessment of proposals is better than a blanket restriction which will throw the beneficial applications out with those which don’t show the same promise,” concluded Dr Rolleston.

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