Will European Consumers and Stakeholders accept New Genomic Techniques ( <scp>NGTs</scp> ) in Food Production?

Summary New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) can be an important tool to achieve the goals set out in the European Green Deal like food security, environmental sustainability and climate change adaptation. However, the success of NGT‐derived products in the market depends on their acceptance by consumers and stakeholders. We assessed consumer acceptance of NGT‐derived products, in particular food products based on NGT plants, drawing on consumer surveys in five European countries. The surveys were complemented by focus group discussions with supply chain participants. Consumers are not knowledgeable about NGTs, approximately 50 per cent across the surveyed countries had never heard the term, and are less aware of NGTs than of genetically modified organisms. After providing explanation of NGTs to survey respondents, most consumers have a neutral view of them. The acceptance of NGT‐derived food differs among the five countries. Consumers from the United Kingdom declare the highest readiness to purchase an NGT‐derived food product, followed by Denmark and Germany, and lastly Slovakia and France. Focus group participants associated NGT‐derived food with advantages for the agri‐food sector but stressed the importance of providing objective information to consumers. A professional communication strategy on NGTs adopted by all relevant supply chain participants in coordination with public authorities is advisable.