Source: Ukragroconsult (Ukraine)
The initiative put forth by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to constitutionally prohibit genetically modified (GM) corn has received approval from the Chamber of Deputies. Critics of this reform caution that it may have significant repercussions for ongoing negotiations related to the USMCA agreement.
The amendments aimed at Articles 4 and 27 of the Constitution, which would make the cultivation of GM corn illegal in Mexico, have been sanctioned by the Chamber of Deputies’ Constitutional Committee. A plenary session is set to take place today, Wednesday, February 26, where the draft is anticipated to be ratified and subsequently forwarded to the Senate, as noted by Elisa Galeana, an industry analyst with Mexico Business News.
This legislative action comes in response to President Sheinbaum’s initiative to safeguard indigenous corn varieties following a ruling by the US-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Commission (USMCA) on GM corn imports, which favored the United States. The dispute arose in 2023 over restrictions imposed by former Mexican President Lopez Obrador aimed at banning GM corn imports intended for human consumption. In June 2024, both parties presented their cases before the commission, with the conclusive report released in December 2024. By early February, the Mexican government had to revoke its trade limitations on GMO grains.
As for the newly proposed constitutional modifications, Article 4 now stipulates that corn cultivation should occur without genetic alterations employing techniques beyond natural reproductive or recombination barriers, including transgenic methods. Additionally, any other applications of genetically modified corn must be assessed according to legal standards to guarantee no risks to biosafety, health, and Mexico’s biocultural heritage. There is a strong emphasis on prioritizing biodiversity protection, food sovereignty, and agroecological practices while also fostering scientific and humanistic research, innovation, and traditional knowledge.
Article 27 stipulates that the government shall encourage the cultivation of traditional crops utilizing local seeds, specifically through the milpa system, to enhance land usage that is free from genetically modified maize, as specified in Article 4. Furthermore, it highlights the promotion of research, innovation, the conservation of agrobiodiversity, and technical support, aiming to fortify national public institutions. The article also states that agricultural production, its processing, and marketing will be monitored, categorizing these aspects as matters of public concern.
This initiative received approval with 29 votes in favor, six opposed, and two abstentions.
Members of the National Action Party (PAN) criticized the proposal, asserting that it lacks a technical foundation and instead carries an ideological bias. They also noted that the potential repercussions of the ban on the USMCA agreement have not been adequately assessed. Luis Agustín Rodríguez, a deputy from PAN, pointed out that the reform does not adequately cater to the specific needs of various regions across the country and could lead to severe economic and inflationary issues, negatively impacting prices. Additionally, he condemned the initiative for being grounded in ideological principles without considering the competitiveness and productivity of agriculture in Mexico. “Such an important proposal necessitates a more thorough analysis to avoid harming agricultural producers,” he stated.