Mexico Moves Away From GM corn

The Mexican government plans to stop importing genetically modified (GM) corn and replace it with home grown maize, according to Deputy Agriculture Minister Víctor Suárez. One of the main reasons is that GM corn is grown using Monsanto’s herbicide ‘Roundup’, and its active ingredient is glysophate. Many studies have linked glysophate to cancer, and it is also harmful to the bees that are essential pollinators. Suárez also noted that GM corn contaminates native strains of the grain that have long been cultivated in Mexico. He says that glysophate is too dangerous to be permitted in Mexico, and sustainable “agro-ecological” practices must take priority. 
Imports account for more than a third of Mexico’s demand for corn, which is mostly used as livestock fodder. The aim is to replace approximately 16 million tonnes of imports from the US – almost all of which is GM – with local corn by 2024. This will require about a 60% increase over current domestic production levels, which will be a challenge for Mexican farmers. But Suárez says it must be done because: “We have to put the right to life, health, and a healthy environment ahead of business interests.”