Western Australia's Premier Geoff Gallop announced this morning that the entire State would be legally declared a GM-free area in order to protect the State's 'clean and green' status.

Western Australia's agri-food sector currently contributes $9.2billion to the State's economy and employs 10 per cent of the workforce.

Dr Gallop said the decision would ensure the State's farmers were able to continue marketing GM-free produce and seek out new markets with confidence.

The cautious approach was also reflective of overwhelming public opinion in WA and consumer sentiment around the world.

"This Government was elected on a platform that included a five-year moratorium on the growing of GM food crops for commercial purposes," the Premier said.

"During the past three years public opinion in Western Australia has further strengthened against the intrusion of GM technology into the food chain.

"Farmers and consumers have told us in no uncertain terms that the priority must be to maintain our hard-earned international reputation for supplying clean, green produce.

"At some point in the future an over-riding argument to embrace GM technology in our food production may emerge, but for now we remain cautious and protective of our important overseas markets."

The Premier said WA was not turning its back on scientific research and would continue to be involved in important biotechnological projects.

"There remain many unanswered questions over the use of GM technology and our decision will continue to allow contained laboratory research or small field trials," he said.

Western Australia's legislation allows for possible exemptions to be granted in the future.

The current national agreement gives the Commonwealth the power to regulate on health and environmental grounds and allows a State to ban GM crops for marketing purposes.

Dr Gallop said there was bipartisan political support in Western Australia for the Government's approach to the GM issue as reflected by the recent passage of the GM Crops Free Areas Act 2003.

A Parliamentary report completed last year also expressed serious concern that Western Australia's reputation for clean and green GM-free products should not be tarnished.