MEX Stands Firm in GM Corn Ban
It's time California Ag Today, I’m Haylie Shipp. This is the Ag Information Network.
California’s agricultural abundance includes more than 400 commodities. Listing the top ten by financial impact:
1. Dairy
2. Grapes
3. Cattle and Calves
4. Almonds
5. Lettuce
6. Strawberries
7. Pistachios
8. Broilers
9. Tomatoes
10. Carrots
You’ll notice corn did not make the list. However, this story is one that I think warrants attention regardless of what commodity is in your field. It deals with Mexico and trade.
Officials from the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office are now hammering arguments made by Mexican representatives during a recent dispute hearing about Mexico’s ban on imports of genetically modified corn used in some food products. The ban was issued in early 2023. USTR filed a dispute settlement in August of that year.
National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle says that, “U.S. officials did a great job of making their case, and more importantly, they successfully argued that the Mexican government doesn’t have the scientific evidence to support its actions or claims.”
During that hearing, U.S. officials argued that Mexico didn’t conduct a risk assessment to support its claims and that the documentation provided was over 20 years old. They also said Mexico’s regulatory agencies previously determined that GMO corn is safe.
