Mexico delays ban on GMO corn imports to 2025, other changes may be coming

By Jim Wiesemeyer, AgWeb.com

Mexico economy minister signals new decree coming for GMO imports; U.S. meeting could happen next week.

Mexican Secretary of Economy Raquel Buenrostro told reporters in Mexico Wednesday the decree to bar imports of GMO crops into Mexico will be pushed back to 2025, adding the country is looking to put together a plan that will "make clearer" the presidential decree.

"Right now, we are working here within the government to make this new decree and present it," she said, adding that U.S. and Mexican officials could meet December 16 to discuss the new proposals from Mexico.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said, after meeting with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Mexico would allow imports of GMO yellow corn for animal feed over the next two years while the government studies any potential impacts on human health.

Estimates are that 18% to 20% of U.S. corn to Mexico is white corn for food use while the remainder of nearly 18 million tonnes in corn imports are yellow corn imported for animal feed.

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