Mexico Moves to Constitutionally Ban GMO Corn

The Chamber of Deputies approved the initiative sent by President Claudia Sheinbaum to constitutionally ban genetically modified (GM) corn. Opponents of the reform argue that this move could have serious repercussions on USMCA negotiations.

The Constitutional Points Committee of the Chamber of Deputies greenlighted amendments to Art. 4 and 27 of the Constitution to prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified corn in Mexico. The draft will be discussed on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies, where the initiative is expected to be approved and subsequently passed to the Senate.

This follows President Sheinbaum’s proposal to protect native corn varieties after Mexico lost the panel ruling on GM corn imports against the United States Government. The dispute panel began in 2023 after disagreements over measures imposed by former President López Obrador to ban GM corn imports for human consumption. In June 2024, both parties presented oral arguments before the panel, and the final report was published in December 2024. In early February, however, the Mexican government was forced to lift the trade restrictions on the grain.

Regarding the constitutional changes, Art. 4 now emphasizes that corn cultivation must be free of genetic modifications produced by techniques that surpass natural reproductive or recombination barriers, such as transgenic methods. Furthermore, it specifies that any other use of genetically modified corn must be evaluated under legal provisions to ensure it is free from threats to Mexico’s biosafety, health, and biocultural heritage. Additionally, it states that the protection of biodiversity, food sovereignty, and agroecological management should be prioritized, promoting scientific-humanistic research, innovation, and traditional knowledge.

Art. 27 adds that the state will promote traditional crops using native seeds, particularly the milpa system, for optimal land use free of genetically modified corn crops, as defined in Art. 4. Likewise, it states that research, innovation, agrobiodiversity conservation, and technical assistance will be promoted, strengthening national public institutions. It also mentions that agricultural production, its industrialization, and commercialization will be monitored, considering them matters of public interest.

The initiative was approved with 29 votes in favor, six against, and two abstentions. Parliamentary groups from MORENA, PT, and PVEM voted in favor of the draft. Meanwhile, MC and PRI supported the draft with reservations. Claudia Ruiz, Deputy from MC, said they support the draft but will request modifications in the plenary session. Irais Virginia Reyes, also from MC, warned that the ban on GM corn could have negative economic effects on USMCA. She proposed adding a section in secondary legislation to regulate the development, production, and commercialization of hybrid corn.

Nadia Navarro, Representative, PRI, stressed that while the motivation behind the reform is commendable, the implementation plan has not been clearly outlined. “It seems that an essential aspect being overlooked is how to achieve protection for our farmers. The federal government should consider implementing support programs for producers, for example, guaranteeing access to native seeds and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. We need a comprehensive implementation strategy, including economic incentives and technical training, to improve the yields of native corn without resorting to technologies that could compromise our biodiversity in the future,” she emphasized.

PAN opponents highlighted that the draft is not technically well-structured and instead has a cultural focus. They also pointed out that the potential impacts on USMCA have not been analyzed. Luis Agustín Rodríguez, Deputy, PAN, explained that the reform is not appropriately designed for each region of the country and will cause severe economic and inflationary complications that will affect prices. Moreover, he criticized the initiative for being based on an ideological dogma without considering the competitiveness and productivity of Mexican agriculture. “A proposal of this significance requires a deeper analysis to avoid harming agricultural producers,” he stated.