The majority of young Scots are in favour of GM technology, claims a new survey.
The survey of more than 1,600 people aged 18-30, carried out for the Agricultural Biotechnology Council (ABC), found only 20% of respondents object 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%, 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.
“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.”