Neighbours in court for landmark GM trial

Debate about genetically modified food has been renewed due to a forthcoming landmark court case in Perth in which an organic farmer claims his crop was contaminated by his neighbour.

A rally was held in Perth on Sunday in support of Kojonup farmer Steve Marsh, who claims genetically modified canola seed blew onto his farm from his neighbour's property, causing him to lose organic certification on about 70 per cent of his land.

Mr Marsh will be seeking damages from his neighbour, Mike Baxter, in a Supreme Court trial beginning on Monday.

The case is believed to be the first of its kind in the world.

Meanwhile, the Greens want the state government to reinstate the ban on genetically modified crops in WA, which was lifted in 2010.

They also want the state government to pass laws to better protect farmers from contamination.