A trade dispute panel convened under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ruled Dec. 20 that Mexico's import restrictions on US genetically modified corn violates the accord. The conflict stems from a presidential decree published by Mexico in February 2023. The decree established an immediate ban on the use of genetically modified corn in dough and tortillas, and instructed Mexican government agencies to gradually end its use in animal feed and other products. The panel evaluating the restrictions determined that they were not based on science, and contravened the market access required under the USMCA.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced the United States victory, saying it "underscores the importance of science-based trade policies that allow American farmers and agricultural producers to compete fairly." US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack aded: "This decision ensures that U.S. producers and exporters will continue to have full and fair access to the Mexican market..."

Mexico's stated purpose for the 2023 decree was to "protect the rights to health and a healthy environment," and "to ensure a nutritious, sufficient and quality diet." The US has maintained its stance that Mexico's biotechnology policies are not based on scientific data.

However, advocacy groups such as Greenpeace are proponents of the corn decree and implored the US to respect Mexico's sovereignty, arguing that the market dominance of patented GMO varieties leads to the decline of indigenous strains and threatens food security.

From JURIST, Dec. 22. Used with permission.

See our last reports on the GMO corn ban, the campesino struggle that led to it, and the political imperative behind it. 

See our feature "Mexico: Corporate Bio-colonialism Advances" by Carmelo Ruiz Marrero

Listen to our podcast, "Mexico and the struggle for the genetic commons"