Mexico farm lobby blasts ban on GMO corn; organic growers welcome it reuters.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reuters.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By Laura Gottesdiener
MONTERREY, Mexico, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Mexico s main agricultural lobby on Saturday criticized the government s decision to ban genetically modified corn, while organic growers hailed the move that should protect smaller farmers.
Mexico will revoke and refrain from granting permits for the release of genetically modified corn seeds into the environment, stated a decree issued Thursday evening, which also mandated the phase out of GMO corn imports by 2024.
Proponents of GMO corn say the ban on domestic cultivation would limit the options of Mexican farmers, while phasing out its importation could imperil the food chain. The lack of access to production options puts us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors, such as corn farmers in the United States, said Laura Tamayo, spokeswoman for Mexico s National Farm Council.
Use of these products will be phased out over the next four years
The decree mentioned in the article below is available in the original Spanish here. An unofficial English translation has been usefully provided by the USDA and is available here. -
Sustainable Pulse, 18 Dec 2020
A decree was released last week on Mexico’s National Commission for Regulatory Improvement (CONAMER) website that confirms a phase-out of use of both glyphosate and genetically modified (GMO) corn for human consumption in Mexico by 2024.
The decree states that use of the herbicide glyphosate will be phased out over the next four years, although glyphosate will not be used in any government-sponsored program during that transition period. The draft also includes an article that requires the revocation of existing and future permits for both the cultivation of GMO corn and the use of GMO corn for human consumption. The use of GMO corn in human consumption would be phased out no later than January 31, 20
Mexico might phase out Roundup pesticide by 2024 aberdeennews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from aberdeennews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Mexico Ag Department Proposes 2024 Ban on Roundup Ingredient
The rules were praised by environmentalists and organic producers who have complained of pesticide contamination, but drew criticism from many farmers.
Dec 14th, 2020
iStock
MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexico’s Agriculture Department has proposed rules for phasing out the use of glyphosate, the active ingredient in weed killer Roundup, by early 2024.
The rules were praised by environmentalists and organic producers who have complained of pesticide contamination, but drew criticism from many farmers.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has long objected to the pesticide, and in late 2019, Mexico blocked a 1,000-ton shipment of the pesticide from entering the country, citing health and environmental concerns.