Mexican Government Backs Out on Glyphosate Ban
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Mexican Government Backs Out on Glyphosate Ban

Photo by:   Bim - Unsplash
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Eliza Galeana By Eliza Galeana | Junior Journalist & Industry Analyst - Mon, 11/28/2022 - 10:20

Earlier this week, the Mexican government put off a ban on glyphosate, arguing that complete elimination of the herbicide would endanger the country’s food security. 

In December 2020, President López Obrador stated that his government would work to gradually phase out glyphosate due to its impact on the health of farmers. Greenpeace has pointed out that exposure to glyphosate is associated with problems such as dizziness and skin irritation, as well as different types of cancer.

However, earlier this week, López Obrador declared that his government will put the ban on hold since there is still no alternative available to the herbicide. “We do not yet have a non-chemical product that would help clean crops, protect the health of farmers and has an accessible price. We are still searching for alternatives to glyphosate,” he said during his morning conference on Nov. 22, 2022. 

Ricardo Monreal, President of the Senate’s Political Coordinating Board, said that the use of glyphosate is a complicated topic that has divided opinions among MORENA Senators. “It is necessary to put an end to our differences and make sure that the reforms around this subject are discussed and approved in order to support the president’s decree,” stated Cesar Cravioto, Spokesman for MORENA Senators.

In previous months, farmers had already expressed their concern over regulations aimed at limiting the use of glyphosate. Marte Vega, President, the Confederation of Agricultural Associations of the State of Sinaloa (CAADES), stressed that the eventual elimination of this herbicide will result in diminishing agricultural productivity and market losses.

In Oct. 2022, Victor Villalobos, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, warned that the immediate prohibition of glyphosate would have a huge impact on Mexico’s food security. “The immediate prohibition of the use of glyphosate and pesticides would affect the agricultural production’s yields and costs, as well as diminish the availability and cause a rise in food prices,” said Villalobos. Furthermore, the ministry explained that crop production would suffer losses between 30 to 40 percent and that to proceed with the ban, viable alternatives in weed and pest control are crucial. 

Luis González, President, the Mexican Union of Agricultural Manufacturers and Developers (UMFFAAC) said that this measure would directly affect small-scale farmers who depend on these products to lower their costs and gain profits. González and Vega agreed that the suspension of glyphosate would harm the production of essential crops such as corn, thereby impacting the price of tortillas and animal-derived products in the basic food basket.

Photo by:   Bim - Unsplash

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