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Abstract
Issues concerning consumer demands for genetically modified and organic food
remain topical. It is unclear how consumers perceive issues associated with food
production such as food safety, environmental impacts or animal welfare. It is also
unclear how consumers might value potential changes in those issues in regional and
metropolitan centres. This paper reports on research using the choice modelling
technique to estimate and compare consumer demand for genetically modified and
organic foods in Australia. The case study considers tomatoes, milk and beef
commodities. The results draw comparisons between the contribution of associated
factors influencing consumer purchasing decisions in a regional and metropolitan city.
The results are relevant to the current policy debate regarding the introduction of GM
foods.