According to USDA-FAS GAIN Report MX2024-034 released on July 1st, it is the intention of Presidente Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, (AMLO) to introduce a constitutional amendment prohibiting cultivation of GM corn in Mexico.
This action will be implemented during the, legislative session beginning September 1, 2024 with assurance of passage given the majority of the Morena party. The constitutional action will solidify the 2023 Presidential Corn Decree prohibiting importation of GM corn for human consumption. The proposed action is based on Article 4 of the constitution, the Convention on Biological Diversity and legislation on Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms and Federal law for the protection of native corn cultivars.
Despite the action taken by AMLO, the incoming president Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum will allow importation of yellow corn for animal feed. Her incoming Administration will promote cultivation of non-GM white corn for human consumption.
Sheinbaum nominated Julio Berdegue to be the incoming Minister of Agriculture. Previously he served as a Regional Head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and has considerable experience in food production in Latin America.
Since, Dr. Sheinbaum, the incoming Presidenta is an environmental engineer, it is presumed that a more rational approach to GM will be followed, allowing continued importation of U.S. yellow corn into Mexico for livestock and poultry production.