Once, most Canadians had some connection with farming and or agriculture. But those days are long gone. Most 21st century Canadians have no links at all with those who grow food. As a result, the level of public understanding of food production is woefully inadequate, and is probably decreasing.
Farmers report city visitors afraid of touching crop plants for fear of pesticide poisoning.
Many farmers are convinced it does, because they re aware of the real risks involved in low levels of public understanding. Just a decade ago, Alar was eliminated as a useful fruit ripener despite the total absence of negative scientific information because of a well-orchestrated activist campaign featuring media stars and clever portrayals of poison apples. Consumers avoid purchasing of foods labeled as irradiated and then heat their dinner in the microwave oven. Crop biotechnology is the latest target of activist organizations eager for fame and financial contributions, and willing to spin sensational stories for a media hungry for tales of implied wrongdoing and conjectured conspiracy by big business. An aging public worried about health and mortality, with dollars to spend to support campaigns claiming to protect the public good against the machinations of profit-hungry corporate interests.