b"As Mexico Continues to Look at GM Corn Ban, Heres Some Reactions to Keep in MindMexico has revised its ban on GM corn, but the discussions are still ongoing.Alex MartinIN JANUARY 2021,Mexican President Andrs Manuelthe revised legislation. On March 6, the Office of the U.S. Trade Lpez Obrador issued a legislation that would effectivelyRepresentative (USTR) announced it was requesting technical eliminate the use of genetically modified (GM) corn in Mexico byconsultations with the Government of Mexico under the Sanitary 2024. Lopez Obrador specifically mentioned that this would banand Phytosanitary Measures Chapter of the United States-GM corn in the diets of Mexicans and end the use of the glypho- Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The intent is that through sate herbicide by Jan. 31, 2024a legislation that affects cornthis process, the two countries can reach an outcome that exported from the U.S. respects each others sovereignty and benefits the U.S., Mexico, Since that initial legislation in 2021, Mexico and the U.S. haveand their agricultural producers and stakeholders. Importantly, been in discussions on the ramifications of such a legislation, and,these consultations will examine whether Mexicos actions because the initial legislation was unclear in its meaning, therecomply with the trade obligations agreed to under the USMCA.have been quite a few updates.Mexico is an important partner, and we remain committed In January 2021 a decree came in force, effectively giving ato maintaining and strengthening our economic and trade ties. A deadline for the total elimination of genetically modified corn onrobust, transparent agricultural trading relationship, founded on Mexican soil, but in the case of planting, the ban practically tookrules and science, is vital to ensuring food security, mitigating the effect immediately in 2021. In the case of food or feed, or for pro- lingering effects of food price inflation, and helping to address cessing, the mandate was until 2024, says Luis Alberto Osorio,the climate crisis. Innovations in agricultural biotechnology play executive director of Proccyt. Derived from the fact that thisa key role in advancing these critical, global objectives, said decree was actually unclear, the government decided to issue aAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in the release from the USTR. new one that repealed the previous one, that is, it eliminated it. While we appreciate the sustained, active engagement with our The new legislation, modified and issued in February 2023,Mexican counterparts at all levels of government, we remain firm eliminated the deadline to ban GM corn for animal feed andin our view that Mexicos current biotechnology trajectory is not industrial usethe new legislation instead retains plans to pro- grounded in science, which is the foundation of USMCA.hibit use of grain for human consumption, as well as the glypho- As discussions continue between the U.S. and Mexico con-sate ban. In addition, the new decree also continues to maintaincerning the modification of the legislation, Seed World checks in the prohibition of planting GM corn on Mexican soil.on reactions from the Mexican and the U.S. seed sector.Why did Lopez Obrador issue this legislation? The Government of Mexico considers, according to many ofU.S. Reactsthe statements issued by the President, that GM corn is harmfulMeanwhile, in the U.S., the countrys still trying to determine to people's health, but up to now it has not been able to provewhat a ban like this could mean for exports. this, Osorio says. It states that the decision to prohibit its plant- According to the University of Illinoiss Farm Policy News, ing is a special measure of protection for native corn, bioculturalMexico buys about 17 million tons of mostly GM yellow corn from wealth, peasant communities, gastronomic heritage. the U.S. annually, most of which is used for animal feed. For asso-Now, with an update to the initial legislation, Mexico and theciations like the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), the U.S. are still in discussions about the effects and ramifications ofnews of the ban is disappointing.38/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2023"