AgroPages-Research of biotech crops can resume, but commercialization ban remains in Mexico-Agricultural news

The optimism shown by biotech companies regarding the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in recently wasn’t unfounded, even if the ban hasn’t been completely lifted.

Following the verdict of a federal judge last week, biotech firms in Mexico are now allowed to cultivate GM corn for experimental purposes, but not for its commercialization.

The judge’s decision allows authorities to grant permits for the experimental and trial growth of the crops.

His reasoning was that experimental corn cultivars, due to their inherent containment measures, don’t represent a risk for the biological diversity of native strains of corn, the Mexican staple cereal, or for the health of the general public.

For AgroBio México, an organization that represents leading biotech firms in the country such as Monsanto, Syngenta, Dow AgroScience, DuPont Pioneer and Bayer CropScience, the decision represents a positive precedent for the development of biotechnology in Mexico.

Normally, for a GM crop to be fully approved for commercialization, it has to go through two different evaluation stages and experimental planting, followed by trial programs. The authorities can then grant permission to go forward with the third and last stage, the sale of GM products.

Before the 2013 suspension on all kinds of GM plantations, several companies were able to begin working with experimental and trial cultivars, said AgroBio. To date, no GM crop has been approved in Mexico for commercialization.

The same judge decided to retain the ban on all commercialization of GM corn, as “there is a greater probability of contact between those crops and the population and environment.”

AgroBio disagreed with the judge’s decision on commercial crops.”We will continue doing everything necessary to bring this technology, as fast as we can, to the hands of the producers who demand it.”