February 6, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following Mexico’s move to revoke two measures in the 2023 “Corn Decree” that were successfully challenged in a recent U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement dispute, Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode released the following statement.
“Mexico’s actions are a strong step toward restoring market access for genetically engineered corn. We are encouraged to see the Sheinbaum Administration respect the science-based obligations in USMCA and the USMCA dispute settlement process. Science has proven crops produced using biotechnology to be safe, and we welcome the opportunity to share American harvests with consumers in search of quality, affordable food. CRA appreciates efforts to resolve bilateral trade irritants so we can work together toward a productive six-year review of USMCA.”
In 2023, former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador released a “Corn Decree” which included provisions banning the use of GE corn in tortilla dough and obligating the government to phase out the use of GE corn in other food uses, including animal feed. Prior to the 2023 “Corn Decree,” Mexico had for decades imported GE products. CRA supported the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in its efforts to challenge the decree through a dispute settlement process, which resulted in a December ruling that these measures within the decree did not comply with Mexico’s USMCA obligations.
CRA welcomes these actions and looks forward to working with Mexico to maintain strong and secure integrated agricultural supply chains.
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About The Corn Refiners Association (CRA)
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein, and fiber.