March 12, 2009

Mexico could be growing GM corn by 2012 but will protect native varieties, said Agriculture Secretary Alberto Cardenas.

GM varieties could boost corn production by 30 percent, said Cardenas.

GM corn was completed banned from Mexico until the country reformed its law last week to allow experimental plots of the crop.

Mexico has more than 200 corn varieties, and critics warn that GM corn could contaminate fields and threaten the crop's genetic diversity.

However, Cardenas said Tuesday (Mar 10) that the government will carefully protect its native varieties.

Mexico's government has so far received 25 requests for permission to plant GM corn in experimental plots, government official Ariel Alvarez said.