Larger scale trials for genetically modified canola should be allowed to go ahead and the New South Wales Farmers' Association says this is the only way to learn the truth about growing GM canola in Australia.

The Association, which represents 13,000 members, says trials the size of a board room table have been ongoing for some time, but it is now time to move to a real-life scale to answer many of the unknowns about GM canola.

The GM Advisory Council is meeting this week to finalise a recommendation to NSW Agriculture Minister Ian Macdonald on two applications for large scale trials, and it is important that the issue is not sidetracked by a small group of anti GM lobbyists.

Chair of the Association's Grains Committee, Angus Macneil says the Association supports trials, but they must address concerns such as how well GM canola grows, trade issues, segregation, marketing and liability insurance.

"Many farmers across the state are undecided about commercially adopting GM canola, but there is a strong feeling amongst growers that further information is needed to test the claims of both sides of the debate.

"Our policy on GM canola trials has been independently debated at numerous forums and we have continually listened to both the Network of Concerned Farmers and Greenpeace.

"We have also engaged in fruitful discussions with grain marketers, bulk handlers and farmers from the smallest to the biggest.

"The Association will be pushing for all areas of the trials to be run within the strictest guidelines with close monitoring of each step, and for contingency plans to be drawn up to deal with anything that may go wrong," Mr Macneil concluded.