KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, US- Although there is uncertainty over whether Mexico will implement a ban on genetically modified corn, officials from the agriculture sector and trade associations continue to discuss the negative effects of such a prohibition with Mexican leaders.
Tom Vilsack, US Agriculture Secretary, in an August meeting with Iowan farmers, downplayed any idea of a ban on imports. He called it a political move and an attempt to protect the heritage of the country. The US takes pride in the white corn varieties it produces and wants to preserve its heritage corn seed.
Vilsack told Mexican leaders that if US corn is not used to feed livestock, food prices could rise for consumers.
He said, “That really made an impact.” “And we are in discussions about ways we can get to a more favorable place” regarding accepting biotech traits and continuing US corn exports to Mexico.
The decree signed by Andres Manuel López Obrador, which came into effect on January 1, 2021, calls for the phase-out of glyphosate as well as GM corn before 2024. Mexico imports 17 million tonnes of GM Corn per year. The United States is its largest supplier.
A MAIZALL delegation met in mid-August with government officials and stakeholders from the industry to discuss this decree. MAIZALL is made up of members from Abramilho, MAIZAR, and the US Grains Council in the United States. Farmers from these countries produce the world’s corn and corn exports.
Mexico will not be able to meet its needs if there isn’t enough non-GM corn available on international markets in 2024. Food insecurity will result, as well as increased prices of many staple foods.
Andrew Brandt is the director of trade policy for the USGC. He said, “This has been one of our most significant efforts to date in engaging with the Mexican Government, explaining the benefits of Biotech, and how and why we use it.” We also explained what would happen if the decree was implemented.
World Perspectives’ March report indicates that the ban on corn imports could cause Mexico to suffer from food insecurity and increase its corn import costs by $4.4 billion.
Members of MAIZALL also stressed the importance of a science-based, transparent, and proportionate approach to regulatory policies in agriculture and food production.
John Linder, an Ohio farmer who participated in the MAIZALL Mission, said: “In our countries GM crops undergo rigorous evaluation by independent scientists, as part of a process that ensures all approvals are based on environmental and food safety.” Biotechnology is a tool that helps farmers increase their yields, reduce their use of plant-protection products, and preserve the quality and biodiversity in the soil and environment. These are all important aspects of sustainable food production.
US commodity groups are more confident that Mexico will continue to export yellow corn under the decree based on ongoing discussions between US officials and Mexican officials. White corn is now being emphasized, as it was developed and introduced in Mexico. White corn is used to make tortillas and staple foods.
Brandt stated that “even though we hear good things from the Mexican Government, the decree creates a problem with white corn as well as the general implication of biotech not being safe.” “We would prefer that this never be implemented at any level, regardless of whether it is yellow or white corn.”
According to USDA, the majority of US corn exported to Mexico is yellow corn used in livestock feed. Yellow corn is also imported to be used in the processing industry for cereals, starches, and other processed goods. USDA reports that smaller quantities of US white corn are exported to Mexico as food.
In a recent report by the Foreign Agricultural Service, the USDA stated that Mexico is largely self-sufficient when it comes to white corn production. However, Mexico will supplement its production as necessary with US white corn imports.
