January 18, 2021
Ban on GMO corn imports in Mexico could decrease food supplies
Mexican agriculture industry officials warned that the Mexico's ban on genetically modified (GMO) corn imports to stop its dependance on the commodity could badly affect the country's food supply especially its livestock sector, Reuters reported.
Mexico decreed to ban the use of GMO corn over three years, as well as a ban on the herbicide glyphosate used to boost crop yields in thousands of small and large farms.
Industry representatives met with the agriculture and economy ministries to discuss overturning the ban.
Mexico has always prohibited the planting of GMO crops but before the end of last year, permitted the imports of GMO corn for its livestock sector and other industrial uses.
Jose Cacho, president of CANAMI, Mexico's corn industry chamber, said the ban on GMO corn is unfeasible as supply chains have developed around them for years. In addition to livestock, condiments and sauces produced in Mexico use starches derived from the same corn.
CANAMI members include Gruma, major corn miller, Kellogg, the cereal maker, and commodity trader Cargill.
Supporters of the ban said the GMO seeds can contaminate native corn strains. They argue that research has showed that glyphosate may cause cancer and elevated insect mortality.
Mexico is the biggest export market for yellow corn from the United States, which are nearly all GMO.
Cacho is concerned that the government could use the decree to prohibit GMO corn use in anything that would be consumed by people, such as beef and ketchup.
Last season, Mexico imported about 18 million tonnes of mostly GMO corn or 40% of the country's consumption.
Most of Mexico's white corn is produced domestically, about 25 million tonnes. It is used to make the tortillas, a staple in the country. Some white corn is also imported.
Mostly all of US, Argentina and Brazil corn are GMO. This would mean it would be difficult to fulfil Mexico's decree on a GMO ban if its broadly interpreted.
- Reuters
