Seed companies are also predicting up to 50,000 hectares could be grown and seed supply will be reliable, despite the high demand.

Mr Ellis said it was important to remember that GM canola cultivation was not compulsory and that farmers had choice.

He said GM canola was, "simply a valuable option for farmers".

Mr Ellis is a third generation farmer at Bindi Bindi, where his family has grown canola on a regular basis.

Mr Ellis said he had given the GM option careful consideration from a hands-on perspective and was intending to grow the controversial crop on the family farm this year.

"There are immediate benefits such as the reduced use of hazardous weed control chemicals, which must be routinely sprayed pre-emergence in non-GM crops, along with the chance to improve yields and develop drought resistant varieties," he said.

The State Government's decision brings WA into line with NSW and Victoria, where growers have been able to grow GM canola commercially since 2008.

The decision fulfils a key election promise to allow planting of GM cotton in the Ord Irrigation Scheme and the approval of commercial-size trials of canola.

Seed companies are also confident there will be a steady supply of GM canola seed for those growers interested in planting it on their farms this year.

Pacific Seeds Canola business manager Justin Kudnig

said the four seed companies that supply GM seed to WA growers had done their forecast orders and were predicting between 30,000ha and 50,000ha would be planted this year.

If 50,000ha is planted, it could lead to a potential yield of 75,000 tonnes in WA's debut GM season.

The four companies that supply GM seed in WA are Pacific Seeds, Nuseed, Canola Breeders WA and Pioneer Hi-Bred.