Mexico bans the cultivation of genetically modified corn

The Chamber of Deputies approved this Tuesday the constitutional reform that prohibits the cultivation of transgenic corn in Mexico. With 382 votes in favor and 88 against, the opinion that modifies the articles of the Constitution on the conservation and protection of native corn was approved, in general and in particular. The modification, presented a month ago by President Claudia Sheinbaum , emphasizes that the cultivation of corn in Mexican territory must be free of genetic modifications, produced with techniques that overcome the natural barriers of reproduction or recombination, as is the case of genetically modified grain. The approved opinion indicates that the protection of biodiversity, food sovereignty and traditional knowledge must be prioritized.

The internal veto on the planting and harvesting of transgenic corn qualifies native corn as an “element of national identity” and establishes the obligation of the Mexican State to guarantee its cultivation free of transgenics in the country. The reform was approved with the support of Morena and its allies, as well as by some deputies of Movimiento Ciudadano. In her speech, deputy Claudia Ruiz Massieu, from that party, voted in favor, but proposed that producers have access to new technologies to guarantee food sovereignty.

PAN legislators criticized the fact that they emphasized that the ruling does not have technical bases and is based on ideological grounds. Opposition deputies emphasized that the reform does not analyze the effects that it may cause for Mexico, as a signatory country of the USMCA. PAN deputy Luis Agustín Rodríguez stated that the reform is not well thought out and there will be severe economic and inflationary complications that will impact prices. “The reform was made based on an ideological dogma, without taking into account competitiveness and productivity,” he said.

The local veto on the cultivation of transgenic corn goes against the latest ruling against Mexico, within the framework of a USMCA panel. Last December, the Mexican government failed to scientifically demonstrate that genetically modified grain causes harm to human health and had to lift restrictions on imports of this grain, as demanded by the United States and Canada. The international arbitrator explained in its ruling that although Mexico sought to protect biodiversity and public health, it did not comply with the international scientific and commercial standards required by the North American trade agreement, so it forced Mexico to lift any restrictions on the import of this grain.

Mexico is self-sufficient in white corn, used to make tortillas, the basis of the national diet. However, it imports large quantities of yellow corn from the United States, used to feed livestock and make some industrialized foods. In 2024 alone, the United States exported more than 40% of its grain to Mexico, a percentage equivalent to more than $4.7 billion in sales. Once approved by the Chamber of Deputies, the ruling will go to the Senate for final approval.