Мексика умело отстояла свою позицию в торговом споре с США по поводу экспорта ГМО кукурузы.

The AgroXXI.ru portal reviewed the publication by Timothy A. Wise, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Global Development and the Environment at Tufts University, author of the book "Eating Tomorrow: Agribusiness, Family Farmers, and the Battle for the Future of Food," published by the international communication agency IPS. The article analyzes the trade dispute between the United States and Mexico regarding the export of American GMO corn to Mexico.

Over the past year, Mexico has refuted U.S. claims by demonstrating that the restrictions it adopts in the interest of safety do not significantly impact U.S. exports. It justifies its policy with scientific evidence of risk to the relevant population, convincingly confirmed during the dispute resolution forum requested by the U.S. a year ago under the USMCA agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Specific limitations on the use of GMO corn as an ingredient in tortillas and plans to gradually phase out the use of glyphosate herbicide in Mexico were introduced by a presidential decree in Mexico in February 2023. It is worth noting that glyphosate is used on 80% of corn grown in the U.S.

Mexico has provided evidence of the presence of GMO corn and glyphosate in tortillas and other corn products and has documented risks, especially for the Mexican population, which consumes corn ten times more than the population of the United States.

The Mexican side notes that the U.S. claim was false from the outset. In its complaint, the U.S. incorrectly interpreted the Mexican president's decree as a "Ban on Corn Tortillas" and as an "Instruction for Replacement" for a progressive reduction in the import of yellow GMO corn for use as animal feed. Mexico does not ban the export of white corn, which is usually used to make tortillas. It only restricts the use of GMO corn in the food chain, including tortillas and other products from finely ground white corn. This is not a ban on imports but a ban on use in the food industry. White corn, including GMO varieties, continues to be exported from the U.S. to Mexico. It just cannot be used in the production of products based on finely ground white corn.

This restriction affects only a small part of the corn exports from the U.S., as the main volume of exports consists of yellow varieties intended for use in animal feed and industry. Therefore, the restriction almost does not affect corn producers in the U.S. So where are the trade restrictions here?

The main basis for the U.S. complaint is the potential future restriction on the import of Mexican GMO corn into the U.S. for use as animal feed. However, at the moment, Mexico has no restrictions on such exports, nor are there any plans in the future. Therefore, the U.S. argument is based on hypothetical future loss of profits.

Trade lawyer Ernesto Hernandez Lopez debunks U.S. claims, pointing out the lack of indications of a complete ban on the use of GMO corn. There is only a plan for the gradual replacement of GMO corn with alternative feed sources as they become available. The initial decree speaks of a "gradual replacement," taking into account available supplies.

As Lopez points out, the trade group should not accept the U.S. argument based solely on the presumed future decrease in the volume of Mexican GMO corn imports for feed. After all, data show that U.S. corn exports to Mexico significantly increased after the decree in 2023 due to unfavorable weather conditions. Thus, Mexico's policy regarding GMO corn has had little impact on American producers. Yellow corn exports continue steadily, and the border remains open for the export of white corn, even for use in tortillas if American farmers switch to non-GMO varieties.

The USMCA agreement provides for such precautionary policies and even provides special exemptions for policies aimed at supporting the cultural practices of indigenous peoples. Numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies and documents presented by the Mexican government and experts confirm the risks associated with GMO corn and glyphosate residues for the Mexican population. At the same time, official U.S. positions ignore this data. Regulatory mechanisms for GMO corn in the U.S. are also criticized for their weakness and conflicts of interest, including proposals from the U.S. Center for Food Safety. Thus, as the Reuters headline suggests, "Mexico awaits evidence from the U.S. on the safety of GMO corn for its population." After numerous documents and a two-day hearing, the question remains open.