NCGA says U.S. got a big win in GMO corn dispute with Mexico

The National Corn Growers Association said that producers earned a major victory today in the long-running dispute with Mexico over genetically engineered corn trade. The organization reported that a dispute panel ruled that Mexico violated its commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement when it issued a decree that banned genetically modified corn imports.

The decision was met with praise from the NCGA and other corn grower advocates who had called on the United States Trade Representative to file the dispute.

“This is an incredible development for the nation’s corn growers and rural communities,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “This outcome is a direct result of the advocacy efforts of corn grower leaders from across the country. We want to thank the nation’s growers for speaking out and U.S. officials for listening and acting.”

The dispute dates back years. On Dec. 31, 2020, then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s administration published a decree calling for the nation to phase out the herbicide glyphosate and genetically modified maize, or corn, for animal and human consumption by Jan. 31, 2024. In a follow-up decree on Feb. 13, 2023, the Mexican government exempted genetically modified corn for animal feed.

NCGA began outreach to the Trump administration to head off the ban. Those efforts continued with the Biden administration as well as with members of Congress and Mexican officials.

“If the U.S. allows Mexico to pull this type of trick, it undermines our trade relationships around the world,” said Amanda Zaluckyj in an op-ed on AGDAILY. “We just renegotiated a trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. And in the span of just a few short years, Mexico is trying to play games.”

Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office as president of Mexico on Oct. 1, 2024, has indicated her administration will continue enforcing the decree.

Of course, there was a significant amount of concern among U.S. corn growers at the threat of a lucrative market disappearing. NCGA leaders argued that the ban would significantly harm growers and rural communities, especially because Mexico is the number one export destination for U.S. corn.

Additionally, research published by agricultural economists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture had said that a fully implemented ban on genetically modified corn in Mexico could disproportionately affect that nation’s lower-income consumers.

“NCGA has been active each step of the way, sounding the alarm about the impact Mexico’s actions are having on farmers,” Hartman said. “This win illustrates the power of corn advocacy.”

Since the enactment of USMCA, the formation of dispute panels has been uncommon and must meet a high threshold of requirements. Now that a decision has been made, NCGA leaders say they will work with USTR and the incoming administration to ensure the ruling is enforced.