Mexico issues first permits for GM corn cultivation

Mexico has issued two permits on Thursday (Oct 15) to grow GM corn for the first time in an effort to boost corn production.

Mexico's agriculture ministry said the two permits will allow only experimental GM corn crops, which will be restricted to states where no native varieties of corn are grown.

Some critics of GM corn in Mexico fear the modified crops could contaminate Mexico's ancient varieties of the grain.

Some farmers in the north of Mexico have grown GM corn illegally because it is designed to be resistant to drought and pests.

Mexico is the world's No. 4 corn producer but it imports about half of what it consumes.