U.S. Grains Council Reacts To U.S. Decision For Dispute Settlement Consultations In Response to Mexico’s GMO Corn Decree

Today, the U.S. Trade Representative requested formal dispute settlement consultations under the USMCA regarding Mexico’s Presidential Decree on genetically modified corn. We are very thankful to Ambassador Tai for taking this important and necessary step with our number one importer of U.S. corn. The decree violates Mexico’s obligations to use science and risk-based policies to regulate biotechnology in a transparent way and threatens the mutually beneficial trading relationship our two countries have had for decades.

The U.S. Grains Council strongly supports the U.S. government’s action today as the decree explicitly bans the export of biotech white corn to Mexico and we appreciate U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack for always insisting that genetically modified crops are science-based, sound and safe.

The result of this decree as written will be to raise corn prices in Mexico, further exacerbating food security issues there, while also trying to block biotechnology as an important tool U.S. farmers can use to sustainably feed the world. We will do all in our power to support the U.S. government’s consultations so free and fair trade of corn between the United States and Mexico continues as was agreed to in USMCA.

The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability.