Aljazeera reports that the USA has escalated its objections to Mexico’s curbs on genetically modified corn imports. The US Trade Representative (USTR) office says they have requested a dispute settlement panel under the North American trade pact.
According to the USTR, a Mexican decision to ban imports of GM corn (used in dough and tortillas for human consumption) is not based on science and violates its commitments under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on trade launched in 2020.
If the USMCA panel rules in favour of the US and Mexico fails to comply, the USA would be able to impose punitive tariffs on Mexican goods.
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement that Thursday’s move was aimed at enforcing Mexico’s USMCA obligations to maintain science-based regulations on agricultural biotechnology.”
Aljazeera reports that “Mexico buys about $5bn worth of corn from the US each year, making its northern neighbour the country’s largest trading partner. Most of those purchases are GM yellow corn used for livestock feed.”
However, Mexico argues that biotech corn harms native varieties and may have adverse health effects. It has announced plans to phase out GM corn for human consumption and eventually for livestock feed after studying its health effects.
Robyn O’Brien, author of The Unhealthy Truth and co-founder of US-based RePlant Capital, said “It is remarkable to watch Mexico stand up to [US] bullying. I’ve repeatedly called out the risks of the industry-funded science of genetically engineered crops, a play straight out of the tobacco industry, as a tool used by the agrochemical industry to promote their products. There is now plenty of science on how the agrochemical model, widely introduced into US agriculture, not only destroyed our soil but also put unfathomable amounts of debt onto the backs of our farming families who suddenly had to purchase a portfolio of chemicals to grow genetically engineered crops.”
O’Brien said, “Industry-funded science is bad for our health, the health of the farm economy, the health of the soil and climate health. Yet the US continues to stand in the way of jointly conducting scientific research. Food security is national security – is it any wonder that Mexico and countries around the world want autonomy from this agricultural tyranny?”