President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that she will seek to prohibit, once again, the planting of genetically modified corn in the country, but now through a reform of the Constitution in 2025.
This, despite the recent ruling against the country in the dispute under the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (USMCA) over the Mexican refusal to allow the use of glyphosate and genetically modified corn.
According to Sheinbaum, the modification to the Constitution would be submitted to the chambers of the Congress of the Union in February 2025, when the ordinary sessions resume.
“The Congress of Mexico, here with the help of the senators, the deputies, we are going to turn around this resolution (of the panel), because very soon, in February, they are going to legislate—I am sure—that will not Transgenic corn can be planted and the biodiversity of Mexico must be protected in our country,” he noted at a press conference from the northern state of Chihuahua.
In addition, he highlighted that corn is a wonderful plant native to Mesoamerica and that it emerged in what is now called Mexico, through the domestication of native peoples, which is why he urged to protect its biodiversity, with more than 60 breeds of this species. grain in the country.
“As we say: Without corn, there is no country!” he emphasized.
On Friday, the final report of the group made up of three USMCA specialists was released, which concluded that the measures implemented by Mexico regarding genetically modified corn do not comply with the international and scientific standards required by the treaty.
This ruling has generated a strong response from the Mexican Government, although it has admitted that it will abide by the resolution, being the result of a controversy initiated by the United States and joined by Canada, by challenging two aspects of the Mexican decree on glyphosate and genetically modified corn. 2023.
The dispute has since revolved around the Mexican Government’s measures that prohibit the use of genetically modified corn for human consumption and establish a gradual substitution.
According to the panel, these measures are not based on an adequate risk assessment or the necessary scientific evidence, which constitutes a violation of the USMCA principles, which require science-based trade policies.
Now, in accordance with the rules of the treaty, Mexico has a period of 45 days to comply with the ruling and adapt its measures in accordance with the panel’s conclusions.
However, this criterion only issues a criterion on a decree published in 2023, but does not limit Mexico to reforming its Constitution.
With information from EFE
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