By Julie Tomascik
Editor

The U.S. is escalating its dispute with Mexico, calling for a dispute panel under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) regarding Mexico’s ban on genetically modified white corn and its intent to eventually ban all biotech corn.

“Through the USMCA dispute panel, we seek to resolve our concerns and help ensure consumers can continue to access safe and affordable food and agricultural products,” U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai said in a statement. “It is critical that Mexico eliminate its USMCA-inconsistent biotechnology measures so that American farmers can continue to access the Mexican market and use innovative tools to respond to climate and food security challenges.”

USTR officials have worked closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and both agencies said they will continue working together, with stakeholders, to obtain Mexico’s full compliance with its USMCA commitments regarding biotech corn.

The dispute panel under USMCA is the most serious and final step in the dispute settlement process and one that farm groups have been calling for regarding this issue.

“Mexico’s ban on bioengineered corn is not only a clear violation of USMCA, it also ignores science and denies families in Mexico safe and affordable food,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “America’s farmers are upholding their obligations by meeting demand while achieving important sustainability goals. Mexico must do the same.”

The U.S. and Mexico must now appoint delegates to an expert third-party panel that will decide whether Mexico’s ban is permissible under USMCA. The panel’s report is expected to be released in mid-2024.

The dispute centers on Mexico’s ban on imports of genetically modified white corn for human consumption and the country’s plans to ban all biotech corn for human food and livestock feed.

The foreign country first issued a decree to limit the import of genetically modified corn in 2020.

Mexico’s restrictions are not based in science and are inconsistent with the sanitary and phytosanitary chapters outlined under USMCA, according to the USTR and USDA.

“Mexico’s approach to biotechnology is not based on science and runs counter to decades’ worth of evidence demonstrating its safety and the rigorous, science-based regulatory review system that ensures it poses no harm to human health and the environment,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said. “By requesting the establishment of a dispute settlement panel with Mexico, the United States is continuing to exercise its rights under the USMCA to ensure that U.S. producers and exporters have full and fair access to the Mexican market.”

Canada has since joined the U.S. in challenging Mexico’s policy.