Ban on glyphosate to decrease corn production in Mexico

The Mexican Union of Agrochemical Manufacturers and Formulators (UMFFAAC) reported to AgroPages that Mexico is experiencing a climate of "uncertainty regarding the ban on glyphosate." 

According to a decree from the local government, the most widely used herbicide in the world will be greatly limited starting this April,.

In a statement, UMFFAAC emphasized the need to reassess this decree published last year, under penalty of affecting agricultural workers. According to the entity, a product that matches the characteristics of the herbicide in terms of efficiency, low cost, ease of handling, and safety has yet to be found.

The crop protection agency highlighted that glyphosate is a necessary tool for producers, and its prohibition adds to other challenging factors. Mexico faces drought problems while lacking support programs for rural producers, negatively impacting the production of various crops, especially corn and other grains. According to UMFFAAC, grain corn production was reduced by more than 1.6 million tons in the 2023 season. According to data from the Agricultural and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP), corn production decreased from 26.5 million tons in 2022 to 24.9 million tons last year.

The agrochemical formulators' entity warns that the ban on glyphosate will cause "great difficulties for farmers, reducing productivity, increasing production costs, and raising food prices for the general population." Likewise, it argues that the decree could encourage the illegal herbicide trade. Therefore, a review of the measure is necessary to avoid adverse effects. It pointed out that glyphosate is used to eliminate weeds, and these can affect, on average, up to 40% of crops.

Glyphosate, UMFFAAC said, is the most studied substance in the world. It noted that three months ago the European Union approved the herbicide for use for another ten years, following rigorous assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). These agencies determined that glyphosate does not risk human health or the environment.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that after a comprehensive review of glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the United States, it concluded that "there are no concerning risks to human health when glyphosate is used as directed on the label."

The results of these assessments are consistent with scientific reviews from other countries and federal agencies, including Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), and the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR).

In conclusion, UMFFAAC pointed out that the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies (Conahcyt) has yet to present viable alternatives to replace glyphosate so far.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)