Canada Sides With US in Dispute Over Mexican GE Corn Ban

Canada will participate as a third party in the U.S.-Mexico dispute over Mexico’s ban on genetically engineered corn in tortillas and dough, the country announced Aug. 25. Mary Ng, Canada’s trade minister, said she “shares the concerns of the United States that Mexico is not compliant with the science and risk analysis obligations under” the USMCA’s sanitary and phytosanitary measures chapter. “Canada believes that the measures taken by Mexico are not scientifically supported and have the potential to unnecessarily disrupt trade in the North American market,” Ng said.

The U.S. initiated the formation of a USMCA dispute settlement panel earlier this month, calling on Mexico to eliminate its “inconsistent biotechnology measures” so American farmers can continue to access the Mexican market (see 2308170050).