Mexico is poised to enact a constitutional amendment this month that will prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) corn within its borders. This initiative, championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, aims to safeguard the nation’s indigenous corn varieties, which hold significant cultural and agricultural importance.
Despite the anticipated ban on domestic GM corn production, the importation and consumption of GM corn will continue. In December 2024, an independent panel under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ruled that Mexico’s attempts to restrict GM corn imports on health grounds lacked sufficient scientific backing. Consequently, Mexico remains the largest importer of U.S. GM corn, with imports valued at $4.8 billion between January and October 2024.
Local experts express concerns that the continued influx of U.S. GM corn poses risks to native corn species. They argue that cross-pollination between transgenic and indigenous varieties could threaten biodiversity and the livelihoods of small-scale and Indigenous farmers. Additionally, the widespread use of the herbicide glyphosate in GM corn cultivation raises environmental and health concerns.
María Leticia López Zepeda, executive director of the National Association of Commercial Businesses for Farmers (ANEC), acknowledges the constitutional amendment as a positive development but emphasizes its limitations. “The constitutional reform is a good and positive step,” she states. “But it doesn’t protect all the country’s corn, which to us as Mexicans is part of our identity, our biodiversity, and our culture.”
Given the majority held by President Sheinbaum’s Morena Party in both legislative chambers, the amendment is expected to pass smoothly. However, the ongoing importation of GM corn continues to be a contentious issue, balancing economic considerations with environmental and cultural preservation.
As Mexico navigates this complex landscape, the nation grapples with the challenge of protecting its rich agricultural heritage while fulfilling the demands of modern agriculture and trade obligations.
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