Trade panel rules against Mexico’s GMO ban

WASHINGTON — A trade dispute panel ruled Dec. 20 that Mexico’s decree to ban genetically modified corn imports violate the conditions of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The U.S. Trade Representative’s office said the panel ruled in favor of all seven U.S. legal claims in the long-running case, finding that Mexico’s restrictions are not based on science and violate the USMCA’s chapters on sanitary and phytosanitary measures and on market access and national treatment.

The decision is a positive one for corn farmers, according to Garrett Hawkins, of Waterloo, Illinois Corn Growers Association president.

“The panel’s decision affirms ICGA’s position that Mexico is not abiding by the terms of the USMCA. It’s good news for Illinois corn farmers and Mexican corn importers. As the largest corn export state in the union, Illinois corn farmers are proponents of free trade agreements and of making free trade agreements work,” he said.

“ICGA and the National Corn Growers Association had a significant role in fighting this unscientific Mexican government overreach and urging the U.S. Trade Representative to challenge the ban that would limit Mexican buyers’ choices and reduce U.S. market access.

“We are so happy to see the ruling issued in our favor and look forward to building our trade relationship with our top export customer for all types of corn.”

Mexico is the largest importer of U.S. corn, both yellow and white.

USMCA was ratified and entered into action on July 1, 2020. Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador signed a decree eliminating the use of glyphosate and genetically engineered corn for human consumption on Dec. 31, 2020.

On Feb. 13, 2023, Mexico published a modified decree. The USTR requested a dispute settlement panel challenging the measures on Aug. 17, 2023.