by PressMexican government banned GMO corn for human consumption
Mexican government restricts use of GMO corn in the country
The Mexican government has decided to impose restrictions on the import of GMO corn. It concerns only those grains that are used for food consumption, imports of forage will remain unchanged. Such a statement from authorities has caused fears from the main suppliers of corn in the country — the USA. Some experts note that such decisions may question the strong trade relations between the countries.
Last year, the Mexican government published a law banning the use of GMO corn for human consumption. The document goes into effect in three years, but there is still no clear list of products that should not contain such grains. To compensate for the shortage, which is formed after the ban on genetically modified crops, the authorities plan to increase the production of local corn until 2024.
The country’s Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes that the ban applies to the use of GMO grains in all products that humans will eventually consume. Last year, Mexican livestock feed companies purchased more than 11 million tons of corn, and about 70% of it was exported from the United States. A total of 16 million tons of grain, most of which is genetically modified, were imported into the country during 2020.
The new law has drawn much criticism among experts and farmers. Some believe that such restrictions may affect the development of farming in the country. In addition, the reduction of imports leads to the disruption of mechanisms in the food chain. For market participants, production options will be narrowed, which will negatively affect their competitiveness and their ability to develop and scale their businesses.
However, there are also those who fully support the decision of the authorities. Their main argument is that GMO varieties lead to the destruction of the traditional types of corn grown in Mexico. The increase in the area of GMO corn cultivation leads to an increase in the use of pesticides to treat plots and plants. As a result, soil quality is deteriorating, substances are entering water bodies, harming animals and birds, and changing their natural habitat.
A number of experts say that Mexico is well positioned to fully cover the need for white corn, which is used to make food. The red varieties are most often bought in the U.S., and they go to feed animals.
What is questionable is the wording of the law, which does not explain the mechanisms and instances in which GMO corn is prohibited or allowed. Such shortcomings can cause much controversy and confusion in the import and use of the grain.