GM corn planting now illegal in Mexico under new reform

Mexico has officially banned the planting of genetically modified (GM) corn after a constitutional reform was passed by the country’s lower house of Congress on March 18. The move, which takes effect immediately, strengthens earlier efforts to preserve native corn varieties and protect the country’s traditional farming practices.

The reform comes despite recent trade tensions with the U.S. In late 2024, a USMCA trade panel ruled that Mexico’s earlier restrictions on GM corn imports lacked scientific backing and hurt U.S. exporters. As a result, Mexico lifted its import ban on GM corn used for animal feed and industrial purposes, allowing U.S. exports — worth around $5 billion a year — to continue.

However, while imports are now allowed, the planting of GM corn within Mexico’s borders is permanently off the table. The government says the new law is about ensuring food security, safeguarding biodiversity, and preserving the cultural and agricultural heritage of Mexican communities.

This constitutional change reaffirms Mexico’s long-standing commitment to rural development and sustainable farming, even as it faces pressure from international trade partners.

source: es.wired.com, agroberichtenbuitenland.nl

photo: foodtank.com