UK public distrustful of government scientific advice

Brussels, 29 Jan 2003

A UK survey has found that the public are more likely to trust environmental or consumer groups than government advice on scientific issues.

A poll for the University of East Anglia asked more than 1,500 people whose advice they would trust on a range of issues, seen by some as risks, facing the UK.

The majority responded by saying that they are more likely to accept independent advice on issues such as genetically modified food and nuclear waste, while only one third claimed to trust the government over climate change.

CORDIS RTD-NEWS / © European Communities