Ottawa—The National Farmers Union and 30 other Canadian groups oppose the federal government’s support for the U.S.’s CUSMA trade challenge of Mexico’s ban on imports of American genetically-modified corn.

NFU President Jenn Pfenning said her organization has asked Trade Minister Mary Ng to respect both the UN Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the UN Convention on Biodiversity.

“Our commitments to these values should instead see Canada supporting Mexico’s efforts to protect its genetic and cultural heritage. Since these measures are strictly focused on corn, and Canada does not export corn to Mexico, Canada’s exports to Mexico are not affected.”

Corn is a staple of the Mexican diet and is central to Mexican culture and agriculture, history and national identity and is integral to Indigenous cultures and spiritual practices, Pfenning said. Canada should respect the seed sovereignty of Indigenous and peasant farmers in Mexico and their pursuit of food sovereignty.

In February, a presidential decree disallowed the use of GM corn in Mexico for making traditional foods, such as tortilla, that rely on minimally processed white corn flour. The decree also states the intention to eventually replace GM corn ingredients in processed foods with non-GM corn.

These measures are the result of decades of struggle by farmers and grassroots communities in Mexico that are asserting their right to seed and food sovereignty, Pfenning said.

Corn originated in Mexico thousands of years ago and has been a major crop for both indigenous and settler farmers. Mexico said the ban is needed to uphold food sovereignty, protect native corn from GM contamination, preserve Mexico’s biocultural heritage and to take precautionary measures to protect human health.

“Today’s statement of sovereignty with Mexico is one way for people in Canada can show how we can work together to build a food system where family and co-operative farmers and food workers live in dignity feeding everyone high quality, healthy, safe food using practices that protect our soil, water, biodiversity and other natural resources,” Pfenning said.

As well as disallowing the use of GM corn in Mexico for making traditional foods, such as tortilla, the decree also states the intention to eventually replace GM corn ingredients in processed foods with non-GM corn.

Corn is a staple of the Mexican diet and is central to Mexican culture and agriculture, history and national identity, and to Indigenous cultures and spiritual practices. The decree also resists corporate control of food.

Among the groups supporting the NFU motion are the Canada Organic Trade Association, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, Canadian Organic Growers, Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, Northumberland Council of Canadians, Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Organic Council of Ontario and the United Food and Commercial Workers.

Mexico has already announced a delay in a ban on the importation, production, distribution, and use of glyphosate.

In August 2023, the U.S. Trade Representative set up a dispute settlement panel under USMCA to stop Mexico from instituting the ban.

This news item was prepared for National Newswatch