The presidents of 23 state groups of corn producers, accompanied by the president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), sent a letter to President Biden on December 14 asking him to take additional steps to address the pending problem of Mexico's decree that would block imports of GM Corn. The letter encouraged the president to raise the issue during upcoming trade negotiations and to open a dispute under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement if Mexico did not act quickly to withdraw the decree.

"Corn producers are now in the process of making planting decisions for next spring, and any additional uncertainty in the market affects their ability to respond appropriately to various market signals," corn growers' leaders said. "If the decree is not fully withdrawn within the time limit set, we ask that your administration initiate a process with the USMCA."

The letter is a response to President López Obrador's promise to shut down imports of gmo maize from early 2024. About 90% of corn grown in the United States is transgenic corn. Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard plans to visit Washington this week to discuss the issue ahead of a planned trade meeting between Biden, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early January. State leaders of the corn producers urged Biden to raise the issue at the meeting.

"Because the risks to farmers and rural America are so high, we ask you to make this issue a critical part of your January 9 meeting with President López Obrador and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau," the letter said.

Source: Agrolink