AgBioForum, vol. 14, no.1 (2011)
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Item An Industry Perspective of All-native and Transgenic Potatoes(AgBioForum, 2011) Toevs, Elliott A.; Guenthner, Joesph F. (Joseph Frank), 1951-; Johnson, Aaron J.; McIntosh, Christopher S.; Thornton, Michael K.Genetically modified (GM) potatoes were a market failure in North America in the 1990s. In spite of benefits to growers, processors, consumers, and the environment, concerns about GM potatoes are still prevalent. We surveyed people in the North American potato industry regarding their opinions of GM potato issues. Results suggest that: (1) growers may be more likely than consumers to accept GM potatoes and (2) all-native technology may be more acceptable than transgenic technology. Potato growers, females, Canadians, and former Monsanto GM potato customers were more likely to be optimistic about all-native GM potatoes. Proactive marketing of all-native potatoes with consumer attributes -- and perhaps with the approval of an environmental group -- could lead to market success in the future.Item Factors Affecting Italian Consumer Attitudes Toward Functional Foods(AgBioForum, 2011) Annunziata, Azzurra; Vecchio, RiccardoHealthier food products have entered the global markets with force in the past few years and have rapidly gained market shares. The food industry has reacted to this trend by developing a growing variety of new products with health-related claims and images. This article, applying factor and cluster analysis, elicited consumer behavior toward functional foods (FF). Data were gathered through a quantitative survey conducted on 400 Italian food shoppers. Principal components' analysis highlighted the key role played by the perception of healthiness in determining shoppers' attitudes toward FF. Cluster analysis revealed three groups of respondents with different levels of confidence, satisfaction, and perceived healthiness of FF. In addition, demographic characteristics appeared to be only partially correlated with the acceptance of these products, a fact that confirms previous literature. Findings bring to light interesting market opportunities for policy makers and food companies.Item Economic Benefits of Genetically-modified Herbicide-tolerant Canola for Producers(AgBioForum, 2011) Gusta, Michael; Smyth, Stuart J.; Belcher, Kenneth; Phillips, Peter W. B.; Castle, David, 1967-Genetically-modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) canola was introduced in Western Canada in 1995. In 2007, a producer survey elicited answers to 80 questions regarding their experiences, including production practices, tillage and herbicide use, control of volunteer canola, and weed-control practices. The survey revealed that the new technology generated between $1.063 billion CAD and $1.192 billion annual net direct and indirect benefits for producers from 2005-2007; this is partly attributed to lower input costs and partly attributed to better weed control. One major concern in the early years following introduction was the potential for HT traits to outcross with weedy relatives or for GMHT canola to become a pervasive and uncontrollable volunteer in non-canola crops, either of which would offset some producer gains. The survey largely discounts that concern. More than 94% of respondents reported that weed control was the same or had improved, less than one-quarter expressed any concern about herbicide resistance in weed populations, 62% reported no difference in controlling for volunteer GM canola than for regular canola, and only 8% indicated that they viewed volunteer GM canola to be one of the top five weeds they need to control.Item Book Review : Thwarting Consumer Choice : The Case Against Mandatory Labeling for Genetically Modified Foods(AgBioForum, 2011) McHughen, AlanReview of the book Thwarting Consumer Choice: The Case Against Mandatory Labeling for Genetically Modified Foods by Gary E. Marchant, Guy A. Cardineau, and Thomas P. Redick.