In response to Mexico's agricultural biotechnology measures outlined in its Feb. 13 decree, the United States has formed a United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement dispute panel. Specifically, the dispute settlement panel is being established to address specific Mexican measures concerning biotech corn, according to an Aug. 17 news release.
“The United States has used the tools provided by the USMCA in attempting to resolve concerns with Mexico’s biotechnology measures. Today, the United States is taking the next step in enforcing Mexico’s obligations under the USMCA,” U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai said in the release.
This action is taken to address the challenges posed by Mexico's specific bans on the utilization of biotech corn in tortillas or dough, as well as the gradual substitution of biotech corn in all products for human consumption and animal feed, which is not supported by scientific evidence and contradicts the market access commitments established in the USMCA agreement, the release reported.
The measures, as outlined in Mexico's Feb. 13 decree, include the prohibition of biotech corn use in tortillas or dough and the gradual substitution, or essentially ban, of biotech corn usage in all products for human consumption and animal feed. The U.S. is challenging these measures due to their lack of scientific basis and their contradiction of the market access commitments Mexico agreed to uphold in the USMCA, the release said.
The announcement follows significant engagement between the U.S. and the Mexican government regarding Mexico's biotechnology policies. In January, the U.S. formally requested explanations and relevant information from Mexico concerning the biotechnology measures under the USMCA's SPS Chapter. Subsequent technical consultations and dispute settlement consultations were held in March and June 2023, respectively, yet these efforts failed to resolve the issue, the release reported.
Throughout these interactions, the United States emphasized its willingness to explore all available options to ensure Mexico's adherence to science- and risk-based biotechnology policies in line with USMCA commitments, according to the release.
U.S. Trade Representative officials have collaborated closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture throughout this process. Both agencies will continue to work together, involving stakeholders in the consultation process, to ensure Mexico's full compliance with its USMCA obligations, the release reported.
The U.S. aims to address its concerns through the establishment of a dispute settlement panel, seeking a resolution that aligns with the principles of fair trade, scientific rigor and adherence to USMCA commitments, the release said.
“Through the USMCA dispute panel, we seek to resolve our concerns and help ensure consumers can continue to access safe and affordable food and agricultural products, Tai added, according to the release. "It is critical that Mexico eliminate its USMCA-inconsistent biotechnology measures so that American farmers can continue to access the Mexican market and use innovative tools to respond to climate and food security challenges. Our bilateral relationship with Mexico, one of our oldest and strongest trading partners, is rooted in trust and honesty, and there are many areas where we will continue to cooperate and work together.”
