Mexico
Mexico’s new decree will indicate that if U.S. GMO corn passes the sanitary filters of the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris), it will have no problem entering Mexico.
“With 90% of corn acreage in the U.S. being planted to biotech seeds and Mexico being the number one purchaser of U.S. corn, I’m concerned this decree is not being met with urgency it deserves,” said Sen. Grassley.
While Mexico wants to reduce its imports of corn by 30% to 40% by 2024, Mexico’s Deputy Ag Minister Victor Suarez told reporters that it cannot replace its imports of U.S. corn for livestock feed.
U.S. officials told Mexico its approach on biotech crops are still “not grounded in science,” and will face a USMCA battle if the matter is not resolved.
Mexico and Canada had challenged the U.S. method for calculating the regional content required under the USMCA trade pact for cars to have tariff-free access to the U.S.
Mexican President López Obrador hosted President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau this week to discuss everything from methane reduction to the U.S./Mexico border wall.
The prospect of Title 42 ending prompted crowds to form on the Mexican side of the border of the U.S. as they awaited to cross the border.
Minister Victor Villalobos said U.S. officials were satisfied with a proposal to delay a ban on the import of GMO corn until 2025, according to a published report.
“We agreed to review their proposal closely and follow up with questions or concerns,” said Tai and Vilsack in a joint statement.
NCGA and presidents of 23 state grower organizations are adding their voices to a growing list who want the Biden administration to deal with Mexico’s coming ban (starting in 2025) on imports of GMO corn.