02.06.25

Hoeven: Mexico Rescinds Ban on Genetically-Engineered Corn Imports

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today issued the following statement after Mexico announced that it was rescinding its ban on the importation of genetically-engineered (GE) corn:

“This is great news, not only for U.S. farmers, but for the people of Mexico who will continue to have access to a high-quality, safe and affordable food staple,” said Hoeven. “Mexico’s ban on the importation of GE corn flew in the face of years of scientific review and regulatory oversight, while creating yet another barrier for U.S. farmers trying to access the Mexican market. Rescinding this policy is the right call and will benefit both nations.”

  • This follows Hoeven and his colleagues calling on the U.S. Trade Representative and Agriculture Secretary to push back on Mexico’s policy.
  • The senators stressed that the ban undermines food security in Mexico, ignores the longstanding, science-based regulatory regime that had proven the safety of GE corn and would stifle future agricultural innovations.
  • Accordingly, the senators urged for Mexico to be held to its trade commitments and for the U.S. to pursue a dispute settlement through the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
    • Last month, a USMCA dispute settlement panel found that Mexico violated its obligations under the trade agreement and ruled in favor of American farmers.

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