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NCGA representative hopeful for resolution to Mexico’s GM corn ban

A policy expert with the National Corn Growers Association says she’s hopeful the Mexican decree banning genetically modified corn imports will be overturned before the end of the year.

Nancy Martinez says U.S. lawyers made good arguments at a June hearing to show Mexico’s decree violates provisions under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

“Mexico has also made a lot of statements about how their population is at an increased risk of exposure because they consume more corn than anywhere else in the world,” she says. “The United States argued that if they had done that risk assessment, exposure would be included.”

If the plan is allowed to be implemented, Mexico would phase out GM corn by the end of this year. Martinez tells Brownfield that would be disastrous for U.S corn producers.

“Over 50% of our corn exports go to Mexico, and then over 94% of the corn grown in the United States is genetically modified,” she says.

Martinez says, if it isn’t overturned, there is concern other countries could follow suit.

“Luckily the science is on our side with GM and proving that it’s safe for humans and safe for animal feed.

Martinez says NCGA is hopeful Mexico’s President-Elect Claudia Sheinbaum will approach the issue from a “more realistic perspective.” Sheinbaum has indicated she wants to focus more on the human consumption side of GM corn and less on animal feed.   

The final report is expected in November.

AUDIO: Nancy Martinez, National Corn Growers Association