Alexandria, VA (December 20, 2024) — The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released the panel findings from the ongoing dispute regarding products of agricultural biotechnology between the United States and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA).

The United States initiated this dispute in February 2023, in response to Mexico’s most recent presidential decree that: 1) immediately prohibited the use of biotech corn in Mexico’s dough and tortilla production, and 2) proposed a longer-term phase out of the use of biotech corn in all food and animal feed products.

The results of the panel findings conclude that Mexico’s attempts to prevent the use of biotech corn in food and feed violate its obligations under USMCA. Additional details regarding the case can be viewed on USTR’s website at the following link.

“We applaud the outcomes of the panel, and we are actively reviewing the findings – which reiterate the importance of science-based approaches for vital agricultural products,” said Andy LaVigne, President and CEO of ASTA. “Over 90% of U.S. corn production relies on biotech seeds, because these technologies are safe, they improve farmers’ yields, and they help us grow crops that are better for the environment. Mexico’s decrees over the past five years have created massive uncertainty for our farmers, businesses, and seed developers. We look forward to discussing the outcomes of this case with the incoming Trump Administration.”

Email Sam Crowell, ASTA’s Senior Director, International Programs and Policy, if you’re interested in learning more about the USMCA biotech dispute.

Corn Growers Win Dispute With Mexico Over GM Corn Ban

Washington, DC (December 20, 2024) - In a major win for the nation’s corn growers, a dispute panel ruled that Mexico violated its commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement when it issued a decree that banned genetically modified corn imports in early 2023. 

The decision was met with praise from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and other corn grower advocates who had called on the United States Trade Representative to file the dispute.

“This is an incredible development for the nation’s corn growers and rural communities,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “This outcome is a direct result of the advocacy efforts of corn grower leaders from across the country. We want to thank the nation’s growers for speaking out and U.S. officials for listening and acting.”

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador first set off alarms in the Corn Belt in December 2020 when he initiated a decree to ban genetically modified corn by the end of 2024. At the time, NCGA began outreach to the Trump administration to head off the ban. Those efforts continued with the Biden administration as well as with members of Congress and Mexican officials. 

The organization’s leaders argued that the ban would significantly harm growers and rural communities, especially because Mexico is the number one export destination for U.S. corn. 

NCGA’s efforts intensified in 2023 when the Mexican president issued a decree banning genetically modified white corn, effective the following day. NCGA and state corn grower groups responded by pushing USTR to file a dispute settlement under USMCA, which it eventually did. 

“NCGA has been active each step of the way, sounding the alarm about the impact Mexico’s actions are having on farmers,” Hartman said. “This win illustrates the power of corn advocacy.” 

Since the enactment of USMCA, the formation of dispute panels has been uncommon and must meet a high threshold of requirements. Now that a decision has been made, NCGA leaders say they will work with USTR and the incoming administration to ensure the ruling is enforced.