Hereford'S MP Paul Keetch has demanded compensation for organic farmers who lose business because their crops are contaminated with genetically-modified seeds.

He made the plea in the House of Commons following a Government statement that some oil seed rape imported from Canada had been contaminated with one per cent of GM produce.

And he has asked the Ministry of Agriculture to hold a public meeting in Herefordshire to answer any questions people might have in order to allay some fears. The Ministry had held public meetings in Worcestershire, Warwickshire and other parts of the Midlands but had so far refused to hold one in Herefordshire.

GM trials on fodder beet and forage maize are being held at Preston Wynne, near Hereford, and oil-seed rape at Kempley, just across the border in Gloucestershire.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Keetch revealed that the Department of the Environment was not originally aware of a GM site in Herefordshire.

"Following the announcement of a GM site in Kempley, just across the Herefordshire border in Gloucestershire, I was told in a written answer by Environment Minister Michael Meacher that there were no GM sites in Herefordshire.

"However, when I asked again on May 15, I was told that there was a site at Preston Wynne but that the department were only told about it on April 26," said Mr Keetch.

He said that because organic farmers whose crops were contaminated might lose Soil Association accreditation, he had asked the Agriculture Minister Nick Brown what compensation they might receive. Mr Brown said he would revue the situation. I also asked him to confirm that Preston Wynne was the only GM site."

Mr Keetch said he did not believe that the countryside should be used as a great laboratory.