Mexico GE corn pilot tests approved

Date:01-31-2013

The Government of Mexico (GOM) has announced the results of nine pilot permit requests for genetically engineered (GE) corn. Six pilot permits have been granted in a total area of 758 hectares (ha) in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Three pilot permits were rejected for Tamaulipas, Chihuahua and Durango.

Sinaloa is the same state where numerous requests for approval for commercial planting of GE corn are still pending.

Based on Mexico’s Biosafety Law, all transgenic seeds must go through three different testing phases: experimental, pilot, and commercial.

It is in the best interests of biotechnology developers to complete experimental testing as soon as possible in order to begin the pilot testing and, afterwards, the commercial release.

The six permits were granted for Sinaloa in pilot phase for two companies. Meanwhile for a third company with the same GE corn event (DAS-Ø15Ø7-1), three pilot permits where denied for Tamaulipas, Chihuahua and Durango.