Mexico awaits American proof that GM corn is safe for its population, says deputy agriculture minister By Reuters

By Adriana Barrera and Cassandra Garrison

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico is waiting for the United States to prove that imported genetically modified (GMO) corn is safe for Mexicans, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Victor Suarez said on Wednesday, as a dispute between the two countries takes place within the framework of an international trade pact. .

In a written statement submitted to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement panel, Mexico, the largest buyer of American corn, argued that science shows that GM corn and the herbicide glyphosate are harmful to human health and crops. its native varieties, and that its decree banning GM corn for human consumption is its right.

The presentation was dated January 2024 but was shared publicly Tuesday by the nonprofit Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

Suarez said it was now up to the United States to prove that GM corn does not harm the people of Mexico, who consume more corn than many countries through daily dietary staples such as nixtamalized pasta and tortillas.

The United States “argues that decisions in Mexico are not based on science and that their decisions are,” Suarez told Reuters in an interview. “But we haven’t seen the U.S. science or companies yet. We look forward to this study.”

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Mexico’s approach to biotechnology goes against “decades of evidence demonstrating its safety.”

A senior U.S. Trade Representative official said, “Scientific authorities, including in Mexico, have consistently found biotechnology products like corn to be safe over a period of decades.”

Genetically modified corn is widely used to fatten livestock around the world, although some consumers are more cautious about consuming genetically modified products in general. The trade dispute with Mexico could threaten U.S. corn sales at a time when low demand for the commodity and plunging prices are hurting farmers.

Companies like Bayer (OTC:) have spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the past few decades developing GM crops and defending the safety of GM foods marketed around the world.

Mexico’s written response cites studies showing links between consumption of GM corn and glyphosate exposure with liver inflammation in people and the impact on immune response in animals, saying it considers the risk to human health.” extremely serious.”

The United States in August requested a dispute resolution panel under the USMCA over Mexico’s decree banning GM corn for human consumption, particularly in use to make tortilla flour. The bill allows the use of genetically modified yellow corn in animal feed, which accounts for the majority of U.S. corn imports worth nearly $5.9 billion each year.

Washington says Mexico’s decree banning imports of genetically modified corn used for tortillas is not based on science and violates commitments made under the USMCA, effective in 2020.

“There is no impact on trade,” Suarez said of the Mexican decree. “The value and volume of GM corn exports to Mexico have increased.”

The Mexican decree also requires the gradual replacement of GM corn, a point of contention highlighted by U.S. officials.

In its written response, Mexico argued that no specific time period was established and therefore there was no impact on trade.

“It’s a strategic goal, because the United States would like to have energy sovereignty and energy self-sufficiency,” Suarez said.

The United States is expected to refute Mexico’s response.