The New South Wales Farmers' Association has voted to support the commercial release of Genetically Modified (GM) crops following a vote at the Annual Conference in Sydney.

Chairman of the New South Wales Farmers' Association Grains Committee, Angus McLaren says the vote demonstrates that farmers in New South Wales want the State Government moratorium lifted immediately.

"Members at Annual Conference believe the benefits of GM crops outweigh the marketing risks and want the ability to adopt the technology," Mr McLaren said.

"GM crops increases grower profitability through significantly less herbicide use," Mr McLaren said.

"This is the first time this organisation has supported the move for the commercial release of GM crops since the debate started.

"The technology has been rapidly embraced in major grain and oilseed exporting countries in the United States, Argentina and Canada, accounting for 85 percent of all GM production in 2004," Mr McLaren said.

The New South Wales Farmers' Association also voted to lobby the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) to set adventitious presence levels for all crops rather than for just canola as is currently the case.

Farmers also want practical, objective and inexpensive "on-farm" GM detection tests as well as an education program in conjunction with lifting the moratorium.

"Lifting the moratorium will put New South Wales farmers on a level playing field with some of our biggest international competitors," Mr McLaren concluded.

The Association will be pursuing the GM issue with Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald. At this stage, the moratorium is set to expire in 2008.