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U.S. takes next steps in dispute process with Mexico

The United States is establishing a dispute settlement panel under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement for Mexico’s ban of GMO corn.

Missouri Corn CEO Bradley Schad says this is the next step in the dispute process with Mexico. 

“The U.S. brought the action to bring the dispute and now, the panel will move forward and start the process of making sure our voices are heard, farmers are heard and we hold Mexico accountable for what they agreed to in the USMCA.”

Earlier this year, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative started a conversation with Mexico to resolve the dispute and said it would consider all options if Mexico didn’t return to science base policies. The USTR says through the action announced today, they will seek to resolve U.S. concerns fully.

Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Jason Smith from Missouri tells Brownfield this is a process that will take time, but…

“A trade agreement isn’t worth the paper its on if its not enforced.”

Senator Deb Fischer from Nebraska says there can be zero compromise on this issue and if it goes into effect, it would hurt Nebraska producers.

Even as the dispute continues, Schad says there are white corn producers in northwest Missouri who are still sending some corn to Mexico. 

“We’re doing everything we can to make sure the market stays open, but it’s difficult. It’s harvest season, but these farmers are looking ahead at what they’ll plant next year. The seed out there that’s available isn’t there either, because that’s not what we agreed to. We agreed to plant what Mexico’s farmers want.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation says 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.