En växande global befolkning och tilltagande problem med klimatförändringar är starkt bidragande faktorer till ett ökande behov av mer hållbara och näringsrika livsmedel, varav ett livsmedelsalternativ som har presenterats är ätbara insekter. Konceptet med ätbara insekter är relativt nytt i Västvärlden och speciellt i Sverige där engagemanget inom fältet fortfarande är väldigt begränsat. För att bidra till en eventuell marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter har ett litet antal involverade aktörer en central roll för frågans utveckling. Därmed är syftet med denna studie att analysera hur involverade aktörer ser på marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter i Sverige. Syftet är även i ljuset av forskning om ätbara insekter och tidigare debatt om genmanipulerade grödor (GMO) bidra till en vidare diskussion om möjligheter för användningen av ätbara insekter i Sverige. Analysen och slutsatser från studien visar att aktörerna ser positivt på en marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter både som livsmedel och foder, men endast som en väldigt begränsad del av Sveriges livsmedelssystem. Utifrån aktörers syn och även tidigare forskning är det möjligt att introducera ätbara insekter på marknaden. Det finns dock även flera faktorer som kan hindra marknadsintroduktionen i Sverige. Exempelvis träder en ojämn konkurrenssituation mellan länder fram i analysen som ett möjligt hinder för införandet: en del länder som Nederländerna har kommit längre i processer i fråga om ätbara insekter, vilket kan minska motivationen hos svenska företagare och andra aktörer att utvecklas inom branschen. Orsaken till detta är diverse tolkningar av den ursprungliga förordningen för nya livsmedel (EU) No. 258/97 som innebar oklarheter angående ätbara insekter. / The climate change and the growing global population have led to a need for new, more sustainable, and nutritious sources of food. Edible insects are one of the presented alternative solutions to cope with the problem. The concept is relatively new in the Western world, especially in Sweden where the involvement in the field is limited. In order to contribute to the market introduction of edible insects, the dedication of different actors in the field has a central role in this issue. Consequently, the aim of this study is to analyse how actors involved in the edible insects network perceive the market introduction of edible insects in Sweden. The aim is also to contribute to a further discussion on possibilities for the use of edible insects in Sweden in the light of the introduction of GMOs. The analysis and the conclusions from the study show that the actors have relatively positive perceptions of a market introduction of edible insects both as food and feed, though only as a relatively limited part of the national food system. Based on the actors´ views and previous studies there are opportunities to introduce edible insects to the Swedish market. However, there are several factors that can hinder the market introduction in Sweden. For example, competition between countries has been highlighted as a possible obstacle: the original novel food regulation had led to different interpretations between countries concerning edible insects, which included differences between Western countries in possibilities to introduce insects to the market. Countries such as the Netherlands have more conducive market conditions and have already had insects on the market for several years, while in Sweden the market is still negligible, which can lead to lack of motivation to develop this branch of industry.

1 Selected issues of legal regulation of genetically modified organisms Abstract Genetically modified organisms are one of the most pressing challenges of modern agriculture and other economic sectors. This is due to the large number of potential benefits and risks, which are quite often insufficiently scientifically researched, exacerbating the controversy associated with their use. It is a technology that has been used for a relatively long time, but its legal regulation is constantly challenged due to the dynamic development of the related scientific advances. Despite the aforementioned, some issues of the topic receive only marginal attention, which makes it difficult to create and apply a fully functioning legal regulation. The diploma thesis itself deals with selected issues of legal regulation of genetically modified organisms, focusing on the readiness of legal regulation, functionality of auxiliary instruments, as well as de lege ferenda considerations. These topics are formulated into three basic research questions, which the author tries to answer by analyzing relevant parts of the legal regulation. The aim of this thesis is to expand this vital part of environmental law with new findings and thus supplement other academic works that deal with legal regulation of genetically modified organisms....

Sammanfattning Bakgrund Genmodifierade organismer (GMO) innebär att med hjälp av genteknik flytta en specifik gen från en organism och korsa den med en annan för att på så vis skapa egenskaper hos en organism som den naturligt inte har. Attityder gentemot och köpvillighet av genmodifierade (GM) livsmedel har visat skilja sig mellan såväl länder som mellan olika grupper. Syfte Syftet med studien är att undersöka om det bland konsumenter i Sverige finns skillnader i attityd gentemot GMO och hur olika incitament påverkar köpvilligheten av GM-frukt och grönsaker beroende på kön, ålder, utbildningsnivå samt upplevd kunskap om GMO. Metod Kvantitativ metod användes med datainsamling via en webbaserad enkätundersökning innehållande 21 frågor uppdelade utifrån tre kategorier; inklusionskriterier, attityder samt köpvillighet. Urvalsstrategin som användes var ett bekvämlighetsurval där enkäten spreds via författarnas Facebookprofiler. Datat från de 110 respondenterna som svarade på enkäten analyserades i statistikprogrammet SPSS med testen Pearson Chi-squared test samt Fisher’s Exact Test. Resultat Resultatet visade att kvinnor samt 31 år och äldre hade både en mer negativ attityd gentemot, samt lägre köpvillighet av, GM-livsmedel. Det påvisades ingen skillnad mellan olika utbildningsnivåer. Resultatet visade däremot en mer positiv attityd bland de med en hög upplevd kunskap om GMO i jämförelse med de med en låg eller medel upplevd kunskap. Slutsats Resultatet överensstämde till stor del med tidigare forskning vilket tyder på att en attitydförändring ej har skett sedan liknande studier utfördes i Sverige under 2000-talets början. Det mest framstående resultatet är att det är kvinnor samt de 31 år och äldre som har en mer negativ attityd gentemot, likväl som har lägre köpvillighet av GM-livsmedel oavsett incitament. / Abstract Background Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) involves using genetic engineering to move a specific gene from one organism and crossing it with another to create characteristics of an organism which it naturally does not have. Attitudes and willingness to purchase genetically modified (GM) foods has been shown to differ between countries as well as between different groups. Objective The objective of the study was to investigate whether consumers in Sweden differ in attitudes towards GMOs and how incentives affect willingness to purchase GM-fruits and vegetables, depending on gender, age, level of education, and perceived knowledge about GMOs. Method Quantitative method was used with data collection via a web-based questionnaire containing 21 questions divided into three categories; inclusion criterias, attitudes, and willingness to purchase. The sample strategy used was a convenience sample where the survey was spread through the authors' Facebook profiles. The data from the 110 respondents was analyzed in SPSS with Pearson Chi-squared test and Fisher’s Exact Test. Results The results showed that women and 31 years and older had both a more negative attitude towards and was less willing to purchase GM-foods. No difference was detected between the levels of education. However, results showed a more positive attitude among those with a high perceived knowledge about GMO unlike those with a low or mediumperceived knowledge. Conclusion The results largely corresponded with previous research indicating that a change has not occurred since similar studies were conducted in Sweden in the early 2000s. The most prominent result is that women and 31 years and older respondents have a more negative attitude towards as well as are less willing to purchase GM-foods regardless of incentives.

The sale and consumption of genetically modified foods are highly politicized, and one of the predominant discourses today. Since 2012, several states attempted legislation to label genetically modified foods, losing at very close margins. It wasn’t until a huge senate victory in Vermont that the labeling fight seemed to hold. Unfortunately, at the federal level there was a sound defeat by the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, which said that the FDA would monitor what foods should be labeled. This legislation, although appearing to keep the interests of food lobbying groups, was more for the interests of corporate power. This, however, did not deter states from continuing to legislate today, and the fight to does not appear to stop any time soon. The purpose of this paper is to see why anti-GMO lobbying organizations continue to campaign for this issue when efforts have not only failed in every state, and efforts have been slowed down at a federal level. The paper aims to make sense of labeling legislation as a political tactic. Through Gaventa’s analysis of power that he outlines in the book Power and Powerlessness, labeling legislation is understood as a political strategy, and how this movement has created a hegemonic common sense of consumer sovereignty and maintained this hegemonic common sense for years.

Thesis M.Com. (Development Theory and Policy) -- University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, 2014 / This dissertation analyzes the competitiveness and performance of the Zimbabwean poultry industry in the context of trade liberalization, given that both poultry output and the main inputs (animal feed and breeding stock) are tradable. Poultry is an important product as the main source of protein for consumers. It also has strong links to agriculture through the production of animal feed. Despite the rise in chicken demand over the years as a cheap source of protein, the poultry industry in Zimbabwe still faces a number of challenges which the government claims include stiff competition from cheap imports, rising input costs of maize and soya meal and illegal imports being sold at sub-economic prices. This study evaluates these factors and the impact of changing trade protection. The methodology used in this study is both qualitative and quantitative. An analysis is done on trade tariffs particularly focusing on their effect to the poultry industry. Disaggregated trade and tariff data was used to analyze the evolution of tariff regime in the industry and to calculate the effective rate of protection of the poultry sector. A value chain approach was used to understand the linkages and interests that exist in this industry. The poultry industry has been affected by imports starting 2007 and has not been exporting since then as the industry struggled to compete on the domestic market. The study showed that the effective rate of protection calculation is complicated by the different trade regimes which currently exist. If the main international competition is from South Africa then the existence of the bi-lateral agreement between Zimbabwe and South Africa means that the poultry sector has not been protected. The study has shown that the breeding subsector is characterized by a duopoly since there are only two breeding firms in Zimbabwe and the comparison carried out revealed that Zimbabwean prices of day old chicks are above those of comparable countries in the region such as South Africa. The study shows that prices for GMO maize used in South Africa are substantially cheaper than Zimbabwean prices, thereby making Zimbabwean producers uncompetitive. The study recommends policies that attract investment in the breeding sub-sector of the value chain to increase competition, a review of GMO maize policy and reducing tariffs of imported raw materials used in the poultry industry.

Uma leitura sócio-jurídica da situação dos transgênicos à época. / Genetic modified organisms: the situation in Brasil between 1998 and 2004

The emergence of genetically modified organisms has sparked a multi-faceted debate, covering issues related to human health, ethics, and the environment. Discussions of the economics of GMO adoption are highly politicized and are influenced by large corporations and non-governmental organizations. This study aims to provide insight into the economic impacts of genetically modified organisms on individual farmers of cotton in India. The first GMO to reach commercialization in India was Bt cotton in 2002, which led to significant increases in revenue and yield among smallholder farmers. Using survey data collected between 2003 and 2009, I examine the economic impacts of Bt cotton and explore macro level changes in the Indian economy.

<p>The world is growing more and more genetically modified (or engineered) crops (GM crops). In Argentina farmers grow almost only GM soy, and no conventional soy. It is a controversial subject, since genetic engineering has many advocates and critics. The positive sides of GM crops are that it can create higher yields and incomes for the farmers. Those are the main objects of growing GM crops. Critics, on the other hand, say that GM crops have bad effects on the environment, and the risks could be too high. For example GM crops can spread to neighboring farms, where organic crops are growing. Many scientists claim that nobody really have enough knowledge of the effects of growing GM crops, and therefore thorough risk assessments are needed to examine the effects and possible risks of growing GM crops before starting to grow them. Politicians, too often, make decisions on false scientific grounds, when they claim that genetic engineering is a safe and precise method. The large corporations developing GMOs are heavily influencing political decision making. Scientists have studied the genetic engineering process and the results show that the method is not precise. It is difficult to know exactly what gene is transferred, and where it ends up. It is also important to discuss the precautionary principle in the decision making process.</p>

<p>Många i Sverige är negativt inställda till genmodifierad mat som har förändrats med hjälp av genteknik. Enligt gymnasieskolans styrdokument bör genetikundervisningen ge eleverna sådana kunskaper att de känner till olika gentekniker och kan diskutera möjligheterna och riskerna med dessa gentekniker. Syftet med studien var att undersöka om gymnasieskolans genetikundervisning förändrade elevernas inställning till genmodifierad mat. En enkätstudie med såväl öppna som slutna frågor genomfördes på 54 elever från ett naturbruksgymnasium i nordvästra Skåne där 19 elever inte hade genomgått genetikundervisning och och 35 elever hade fått undervisning i genetik på gymnasiet. Vid analys av svaren framkom det att nio procent av eleverna som fått undervisning i genetik på gymnasiet ansåg det farligt att äta genmodifierad mat, medan 47 procent utav eleverna utan genetikundervisning ansåg det farligt. Elever som genomgått genetikundervisning såg till såväl möjligheterna som riskerna med genmodifierade organismer (GMO), medan elever utan genetikundervisning framförallt såg riskerna med GMO. Hälften av eleverna utan genetikundervisning hade insikt om att det finns gener i kött/fisk och frukt/grönsaker, medan 89 procent utav eleverna med genetikundervisning hade insikt i detta. Gymnasieskolans genetikundervisning påverkade elevernas inställning till genmodifierad mat i den här studien då färre efter genetikundervisning ansåg den farlig. Undervisningen gav eleverna dessutom en mer nyanserad bild av möjligheterna och riskerna med GMO. Resultatet att hälften av eleverna utan gymnasial genetikundervisning inte har kunskaper om att det finns gener i kött och fisk samt frukt och grönsaker återspeglar tidigare studier. Slutsatsen av studien är att genetikundervisningen på gymnasiet leder till en minskad rädsla för genmodifierad mat och en mer nyanserad bild av möjligheterna med genmodifierade organismer.</p>

Många i Sverige är negativt inställda till genmodifierad mat som har förändrats med hjälp av genteknik. Enligt gymnasieskolans styrdokument bör genetikundervisningen ge eleverna sådana kunskaper att de känner till olika gentekniker och kan diskutera möjligheterna och riskerna med dessa gentekniker. Syftet med studien var att undersöka om gymnasieskolans genetikundervisning förändrade elevernas inställning till genmodifierad mat. En enkätstudie med såväl öppna som slutna frågor genomfördes på 54 elever från ett naturbruksgymnasium i nordvästra Skåne där 19 elever inte hade genomgått genetikundervisning och och 35 elever hade fått undervisning i genetik på gymnasiet. Vid analys av svaren framkom det att nio procent av eleverna som fått undervisning i genetik på gymnasiet ansåg det farligt att äta genmodifierad mat, medan 47 procent utav eleverna utan genetikundervisning ansåg det farligt. Elever som genomgått genetikundervisning såg till såväl möjligheterna som riskerna med genmodifierade organismer (GMO), medan elever utan genetikundervisning framförallt såg riskerna med GMO. Hälften av eleverna utan genetikundervisning hade insikt om att det finns gener i kött/fisk och frukt/grönsaker, medan 89 procent utav eleverna med genetikundervisning hade insikt i detta. Gymnasieskolans genetikundervisning påverkade elevernas inställning till genmodifierad mat i den här studien då färre efter genetikundervisning ansåg den farlig. Undervisningen gav eleverna dessutom en mer nyanserad bild av möjligheterna och riskerna med GMO. Resultatet att hälften av eleverna utan gymnasial genetikundervisning inte har kunskaper om att det finns gener i kött och fisk samt frukt och grönsaker återspeglar tidigare studier. Slutsatsen av studien är att genetikundervisningen på gymnasiet leder till en minskad rädsla för genmodifierad mat och en mer nyanserad bild av möjligheterna med genmodifierade organismer.