January 4, 2021

Mexico's National Farm Council against GMO corn ban, organic growers laud ban

Mexico's main agricultural lobby the National Farm Council criticised the government's decision to ban genetically modified (GMO) corn, while organic growers supported the ban which they say will protect smaller farmers, Reuters reported.

In a decree issued on December 31, Mexico's government said it will revoke and stop granting permits for the release of GMO corn seeds into the environment. GMO corn imports will also be phased out by 2024.

Laura Tamayo, spokeswoman for Mexico's National Farm Council, said the ban on GMP corn will limit Mexican farmers options, putting them at a disadvantage to competitors like the United States.

In addition, Tamayo said GMO corn imports from the US is essential for many products in the country's agrifood chain. Tamayo is the regional corporate director for Bayer, the owner of Monsanto that producers the weed killer Roundup and the GMO corn designed to resist the pesticide.

Homero Blas, head of Mexico's Organic Producers' Society, lauded the government's move. Those who oppose GMO crops say it contaminates age-old corn native varieties and promotes pesticide use that could affect human health and nature's biodiversity.

Mexico imports mostly GMO yellow corn to be used as livestock feed. The decree does not specify it only applies to corn grown for human consumption or if it will affect imported GMO corn used for livestock.

Bayer paid US$10.9 billion to settle 100,000 lawsuits in the US that claim Roundup causes cancer.

- Reuters