According to European polls, public acceptance of GM products have been rising in recent years and overall approval increases regarding specific qualities of GM plants. During 1999, only 10% of the respondents showed a positive regard on gene technology. The reaction of the respondents toward gene technology increased positively every year. In 2005, 50% of respondents regarded biotechnology as positive and 30% of respondents regarded gene technology as good. In the most recent survey conducted by the British Institute of Grocery Distribution in 2008, majority (58 %) of respondents reacted neutrally because they don't have enough knowledge regarding GM food. Surveys showed that European customers still have some reservations regarding GM products but it doesn't necessarily mean that they don't like it. Some of the findings in the survey include:

• Only a small portion of the population have knowledge regarding GMOs thus, there is a big demand for information on GMOs
• More than 40% of consumers surveyed showed positive response over GM products.
• Public acceptance of the gene technology has increased steadily since 1999.
• Consumers gave a positive rating for GM products having significant environmental or consumer benefits.
• Around 80% of consumers do not actively avoid GM products when shopping.
• Low-priced GM products appealed better to the customers.

Contrary to common opinion, GM products may have considerable chances on the European market.

For further discussion, see http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/news/stories/415.an_overview_european_consumer_polls_attitudes_gmos.html