Canada is joining forces with the United States in a trade fight over a Mexican ban on genetically modified corn products in tortillas and dough.
The Canadian government said it shared the concerns of the United States, stating, “Mexico is not compliant with the science and risk analysis obligations under CUSMA’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Chapter.”
Ban on GMO Corn
Mexico first issued a presidential decree on Feb. 13 that banned use of genetically engineered corn in tortilla and dough products, and said the country plans to gradually substitute biotechnology corn in any products intended for human consumption and animal feed. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has stated that he is worried about contamination of native varieties of corn being grown in his country and has concerns about the effects of GMO corn on public health.“White corn is of the utmost importance in the diet of Mexicans, with an annual per capita consumption of 346 kg, and it is the grain with the highest production in the country with an 88.2 percent participation in the national production of grains,” President Lopez Obrador said in the June 23 decree.
“That the supply and production of white corn in our country are important factors in determining its price and, therefore, also of the various consumer products made from it, mainly tortillas, therefore, to promote the strengthening national production, the internal market and the productive chain of said grain, as well as ensuring market conditions that allow stabilizing its price, it is pertinent to temporarily modify the tariff,” said Mexico.
Agriculture officials say the tariffs could potentially negatively impact Mexican consumers and possibly even American farmers in the long run.
The dispute settlement proceedings will see a panel of experts assembled to spend about six months studying the dispute between the countries. It would then release findings. Trade sanctions could follow if Mexico was found to have violated the U.S.–Mexico–Canada free trade agreement.
Mexico’s president said he is not afraid of controversy and said that only domestic white corn should be used for human consumption.