Mexicancourt disallows genetically modified corn planting

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Publish time: 23rd October, 2013      Source: www.cnchemicals.com
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October 23, 2013

   

   
Mexicancourt disallows genetically modified corn planting
   
   

   

A Mexicancourt has ordered the government to suspend theissuing ofpermits to transnational companieswhich could allow them toplant genetically modified (GMO) cornon an experimental and commercial scale.

   

   

Opponents of genetically modified organisms (GMO) applauded the decision,whilesupportersinsisted that the verdict could still be challenged.

   

   
Mexico has banned the planting of GMOs back in 1998.However, the law, in regards to such,was modified in 2005 to allow the planting of test plots in some Mexican states, primarily those along the US border.These activities can only be conducted through the approvalofpermits andunder strict conditions.
   
   

Companies like Monsanto, Pioneer, Syngenta and Dow AgroSciences areworking towardsobtaining permission to plant pilot plots.

   

   

Meanwhile, there are concerns that native corns in Mexico could be contaminated if GMO corn is planted. With close to 70 local types available,cornis the main food staple in the country, particularly in the central and southern regions.

   

   

A coalition of over 50parties have filed suit to block field trials of GMO corn in July 2013. The plaintiffsclaim thatthey have scientific evidence from studieswhich document the contamination of Mexico''s native corn varieties by GMO crops.

   

   

On October 10, the ban was granted by a judge for the Federal District Court for Civil Matters. The judge cited the risk of imminent harm to the environment as the basis for the decision. He also ruled that multinationals like Monsanto and Pioneer are currentlybanned from planting any transgenic corn in Mexico.

   

   
"Mexico imports many foodstuffs that use GMO corn, but we still won''t allow Mexican farmers to plant GMO corn. The result is more poverty for the farmers since we restrict them to using low productivity technology. We have to allow the use of these transgenic products and we have to do it soon, for the good of Mexico," Guajardo said.
   

   
Agrobio, the group representing the transnational GMO companiesbased in Mexico, said that it would respect the judge''s decision. However,companieswill continueto seek for scientific evidences concerning the benefits of biotechnology.
   
   

Whilethe ban in Mexico covers the localtesting and use of GMO corn, itdoes not affect imports of the crop.