Mexico approves constitutional ban on planting Genetically Modified corn
Mexico's lower house has constitutionally banned genetically modified (GM) corn planting. This move follows a prior ruling against Mexico's GM corn restrictions, which were deemed scientifically unsubstantiated. The reform solidifies previous measures, protecting native corn and traditional agriculture. This constitutional mandate aims to ensure biosafety and preserve Mexico's biocultural heritage.
On Tuesday March 18th, Mexico’s lower house of Congress has officially approved a constitutional reform banning the planting of genetically modified (GM) corn. The ban has taken effect immediately and is a result of a process initiated by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. A general ban on GM corn in Mexico seemed more complex after a trade dispute ruling in December ’24. This ruling deemed Mexico’s restrictions on GM corn a violation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), stating that it lacked sufficient scientific evidence and caused unfairly restricted U.S. market access. Following the USMCA panel's decision, Mexico has lifted its import restrictions on genetically modified corn intended for human, livestock, and industrial applications, a move that impacts approximately $5 billion in annual U.S. GM corn exports, primarily for livestock feed
Despite the risk of economic repercussions, the current administration of President Sheinbaum took a next step in the process by ensuring GM corn cannot legally be planted in Mexico anymore, reaffirming its stance on protecting Mexico’s traditional agriculture and food security. The law will ‘guarantee biodiversity, food sovereignty, and the health of Mexicans’, according to the President.
The newly approved reform solidifies previous legal measures by enshrining the ban in Mexico’s Constitution. The decree aims at preserving native corn varieties, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring food sovereignty. The reform prohibits GM corn cultivation while mandating strict legal oversight to prevent risks to biosafety, public health, and Mexico’s biocultural heritage. This is in line with the focus of the Mexican government on rural development and the support of traditional agricultural systems.