Grain grower bodies in the US, Canada and Australia have agreed to coordinate the research and introduction of GM wheat.

The organisations agreed to introduce biotechnology in a coordinated fashion to minimise market disruption.

A released statement highlighted the importance of wheat to food supply and the declining arable land in all three countries, due in part to competition from other GM crops. The statement also noted the slow growth trend of wheat yields compared to other crops and the lack of public and private investment in wheat research worldwide.

Anti-GM activists said the deal is to try and avoid protests from customers, and they will renew action against GM wheat.

Julie Newman, from the Network of Concerned Farmers, said there is no evidence that world grain markets will support buying GM wheat.

All research on GM wheat found that only two Asian millers have said they will purchase it provided it's very cheap, but no market actually wants the product, she said.

The Australian signatories include the Grains Council of Australia, the Grain Growers Association and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA.

This deal will offer more choice, according to Murray Jones, chairman of the Grains Council of Australia.