In response to a USMCA dispute panel ruling, Mexico has officially lifted its ban on genetically modified (GM) corn imports from the United States, ensuring continued trade and compliance with international agreements.
In a significant development for North American agriculture, Mexico has formally repealed its ban on genetically modified (GM) corn imports from the United States. This decision comes after a dispute settlement panel under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ruled in December 2024 that Mexico’s restrictions violated the trade pact.
Background of the Ban
The initial ban, instituted by former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in a January 2021 decree, aimed to phase out the use of GM corn and the herbicide glyphosate by 2024, later extended to 2025. The decree sought to protect native corn varieties and promote public health.
USMCA Dispute and Panel Ruling
The United States challenged Mexico’s measures, asserting they were not grounded in scientific evidence and contravened the USMCA’s provisions on sanitary and phytosanitary measures and market access. On December 20, 2024, the USMCA dispute panel sided with the U.S. on all seven legal claims, concluding that Mexico’s restrictions were unscientific and undermined agreed-upon trade access.
Repeal of the Ban
In compliance with the panel’s decision, the Mexican government announced on February 5, 2025, the repeal of two key measures: the immediate ban on GM corn in dough and tortillas for human consumption, and the directive to phase out GM corn in other food products and animal feed. This action ensures the preservation of approximately $5.6 billion in U.S. corn exports to Mexico, which stands as the largest market for U.S. corn.
Implications for Stakeholders
The repeal has been welcomed by U.S. agricultural stakeholders. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) emphasized that the ban would have significantly impacted farmers and rural communities. NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. stated, “Mexico must comply with the report and eliminate all measures that ban or restrict the trade of genetically modified corn.”
The U.S. Trade Representative’s office affirmed its commitment to monitoring Mexico’s adherence to USMCA obligations, ensuring that agricultural biotechnology measures remain science-based and that U.S. corn producers retain market access as stipulated in the agreement.
Mexico’s decision to lift the GM corn import ban underscores the importance of science-based policies in international trade agreements. This resolution not only reinforces the integrity of the USMCA but also secures the economic interests of farmers and stakeholders across North America.
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