By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

The Mexican government officially lifted its ban on genetically engineered (GE) corn imports from the U.S. earlier this month after the U.S. successfully argued the measure violated commitments under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMA).

Mexico’s action declares ineffective the efforts to ban the use of GE corn in dough and tortillas for human consumption and the instruction to Mexican government agencies to phase out its use in other food uses and in animal feed.

The ban was imposed by Mexico’s former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador in 2023, claiming the ban was.

necessary to protect public health and Mexico’s native corn species. The U.S., however, argued the claims were not based on science and did not align with Mexico’s market access commitments under USMCA.

In December, a panel ruled in the United States’ favor after the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) argued Mexico’s action to ban GE corn imports was not based in science and undermined the marketing access Mexico agreed to provide the U.S. under the USMCA. This gave Mexico 45 days to comply with the panel’s ruling.

“The United States will continue to monitor closely Mexico’s compliance with its USMCA commitments to ensure that Mexico’s agricultural biotechnology measures are based on science and provide U.S. corn growers the market access that Mexico agreed to provide in the USMCA,” the USTR said.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and Texas Farm Bureau applaud Mexico’s decision to formally repeal the ban.

“Farm Bureau applauds Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum for repealing her country’s ban on biotech corn imports from America,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “Her predecessor’s attempt to limit trade between the two countries was a clear violation of the USMCA trade agreement, which was recently confirmed by a USMCA panel decision.”

The ban would have impacted more than just corn farmers.

“A ban would have hurt hard-working families on both sides of the border,” Duvall said. “America’s farmers are dedicated to growing safe and affordable food, and they look forward to continued access to an important trading partner.”

Mexico remains the largest buyer of U.S. corn, with sales over $5 billion in 2024.