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Aug. 1, 2024 by Ernesto Hernández-López, Professor, Chapman University, Orange, CA, as it ran in Agriculture Dive A bid by Mexico to ban genetically modified corn for human consumption has sparked a trade dispute with the U.S. as farm exporters raise alarm bells that they could be locked out of a major trade market. But a closer look at the debate shows that the U.S.′ arguments are grasping at straws. In a 2023 presidential decree, Mexico outlawed GMO corn for human consumption, out of concern for human health and biodiversity. The U.S. quickly invoked a trade panel under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in August, arguing the ban violates the trade pact's chapter on food safety, called sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) under trade law. In June, the panel had hearings over two days: There were nearly 600 pages, over 750 exhibits, and almost 2,000 footnotes in legal filings. The U.S. and Mexico raised over twenty treaty provisions plus exceptions focused on resource conservation and protections for indigenous communities. Let's start with the obvious. The decree does not impact corn in animal feed, which is what American farmers overwhelmingly grow and export to Mexico. It only affects white corn used in tortillas and masa, or dough, which Mexico is self-sufficient in growing. The result: the ban has no significant impact on corn trade. Various figures confirm this, including the fact that corn exports to Mexico have risen to record levels since the ban. Mexico remains the top buyer of U.S. corn, three times higher than the number two Japan. The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts more increases in exports to Mexico for next year, driven by livestock demand. The 3 problems with U.S. arguments: To read the entire op-ed click here. Tweet |
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