Seed Industry Calls for New Legal Framework to Boost Innovation

The Mexican Seed Association (AMSAC) called for greater collaboration with the federal government to address shared challenges facing the agricultural sector. In a recent statement, the association noted that a key part of this collaboration should be the joint formulation of a new legal framework for seed technology, which would allow the creation of more productive varieties tailored to Mexico's environmental conditions and contribute to the national goal of food sovereignty.

During AMSAC’s 2025 Convention, which gathered seed company executives, government officials, and researchers, the association urged all stakeholders in the agri-food chain to work more closely together. Government officials and private sector leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening these links to address challenges ranging from food security to external trade policies.

The convention's agenda also focused on the industry's role in major national policies. Attendees discussed the opportunities presented by Plan México, highlighting the seed sector's participation in the Cosechando Soberanía (Harvesting Sovereignty) program, which provides improved, adapted corn seed to states in the south-southeast of the country. 

In an interview with MBN, Mario Puente, Executive Director, AMSAC, noted that in this first stage, the government and the seed sector could identify areas for improvement. He explained that since the project involves several parties, there were initial challenges in coordination and logistics. However, with continued collaboration, these gaps can be easily filled. He also suggested that the program's success could be replicated in other parts of the country. "We proposed to the government that this program could be replicated throughout the country where we can identify areas with productive potential to incorporate improved seeds as a way to increase corn production and, consequently, reduce the import dependency we have today,” Puente added.

Addressing Trade Challenges 
The challenges of trade uncertainty in the commercial sphere were a key topic of discussion at the AMSAC convention. Puente explained that the sector faces significant instability due to the US tariff policies, an issue made more complex because seeds are a product that continuously moves across the border for research, production, and processing, even within the same company. 

During the discussions, the recent termination of the US-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement was highlighted as a primary example. Puente noted that while the resulting duties are applied to the final vegetable, they have a direct negative consequence for the seed industry, as its members supply the seeds for the affected export crops. "Seeds cross the border as a commercial good, even when the trade is between different divisions of the same company. It is subject to all phytosanitary controls and any applicable tariffs. Right now, they are not subject to any tariffs because they enter under the USMCA, but the threat that this situation could change at any moment is always there,” he noted.

The conversation was enriched by the participation of the President of the Board of The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), Dan Foor, who shared the US private sector's perspective. According to Puente, both associations agreed that the political uncertainty is not beneficial for either side and that a stable, predictable trade environment is necessary for the industry's health.

Legal Framework Essential for Seed Development
A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to new tools for genetic improvement, particularly CRISPR-Cas technology. Puente highlighted the participation of Edgar Demesa, Researcher at the IPN’s Center of Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) Irapuato, who brings together national expertise, international experience, and the will to work with the productive sector. 

The main conclusion was that while CRISPR is the future for developing new plant varieties with precision in just two to three years, compared to the 10 to 20 years for traditional methods, Mexico is falling behind. Puente noted that government officials acknowledged the importance of developing such technologies to enhance productivity and strengthen Mexico’s food security. "We also agreed that we will work jointly with public research institutions, so their researchers have the training, education, and the opportunity to use these tools in the work they are developing,” Puente told MBN.

To promote the use of innovative technologies, such as CRISPR, the sector needs a strong and informed legal framework. The sector called for a clear, practical, and appropriate regulatory framework to allow the use of these tools, warning that without it, Mexico risks becoming more dependent on foreign grain and technology imports. "We have all the elements to develop better seeds here in Mexico, to produce more, to strengthen our public research institutions, and for the industry to grow and generate benefits for everyone. We can achieve this if we get an updated and practical regulatory framework that facilitates investment and public-private alliances. We must work together, and I think that if the government sets the table, it could be something very positive for the country,” Puente concluded.