Mexico continues to argue that its recent decree banning imports of genetically modified (GMO) corn for food use does not violate its commitments under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Mexico's Agriculture Minister Victor Villalobos stated that the issue is not suitable for the USMCA dispute resolution process. He argues that with the new decree, there is no longer any subject for debate in the ag terms.
In February, Mexico published a decree softening its stance. It still bans GMO corn for human consumption but permits yellow corn imports for livestock feed, which makes up most of what Mexico brings in from the United States.
Recently, a frustrated U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the following statement regarding the announcement by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) that the United States has requested dispute settlement consultations with Mexico under the USMCA Agreement. These consultations are in regard to Mexico’s agricultural biotechnology policies.
“USDA supports success for all farmers, and that means embracing fair, open, science- and rules-based trade. In this spirit, the USMCA was written to ensure that producers in all three countries have full and fair access to each other’s markets,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We fundamentally disagree with the position Mexico has taken on the issue of biotechnology, which has been proven to be safe for decades. Through this action, we are exercising our rights under USMCA while supporting innovation, nutrition security, sustainability, and the mutual success of our farmers and producers.”
The announcement is the latest action USDA and USTR have taken to address the United States’ concerns with Mexico’s biotechnology policies. In March, USDA and USTR requested technical consultations with Mexico under the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Chapter of the USMCA.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Mexico is an important market for U.S. produced corn. Their stance on GMO corn has effectively limited our access to their markets while preserving their access to ours. If ever a case could be made for unfair trade, this is it. GMO corn has, as the statement from Vilsack points out, been around for decades. It has undergone intense scrutiny from scientists for safe human consumption and passed with flying colors. It is a bogus argument, more protectionist in nature. The U.S./Mexico/Canada Agreement was signed to promote the best interests of all three nations. It replaced NAFTA which was outdated and contained some major loopholes. This request for review will hopefully put an end to this contentious issue once and for all, restoring certainty for U.S. corn farmers! After all, certainty allows them to plan better for those truck purchases from CAD dealers like you!
