U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced that the United States has requested advice to resolve disputes with Mexico under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). These requests are related to certain Mexican measures related to products agricultural biotechnology.

“The United States has repeatedly expressed concern that Mexico’s biotechnology policy is not based on science and threatens to underminer US exports to Mexico to the detriment of agricultural producers, which, in turn, can exacerbate food security problems,” Tai said.

In addition, the United States Trade Representative added that Mexico’s biotechnology policy also holds back agricultural innovation it helps American farmers respond to pressing climate challenges, as well as increase farm productivity and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

“We will continue to work with the Mexican government through these consultations to address our concerns and help ensure that consumers can continue to receive safe food and produce and affordable,” the US Ambassador said.

On the other hand, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack emphasized that USDA supports the success of all farmers and it aims to “adopt fair, open, scientific and rule-based trading”.

“In this spirit, the USMCA has been designed to ensure that manufacturers in the three countries have full and fair access to each other’s markets. We fundamentally disagree with the position taken by Mexico. on the topic of biotechnology, which has proven its safety for decades,” the official added.

He assured that this action allows United States to exercise its rights under the USMCA treaty supporting innovation, food security, sustainability and mutual success of farmers and producers.

These consultations relate to the measures established by the Decree of Mexico of February 13, 2023, in particular ban on the use of biotech corn in tortillas or masa, as well as directing Mexican government agencies to phase out, i.e. ban, the use of biotech corn in all products. for human consumption and animal feed.

The requests also concern denials of permits for the import and sale of certain biotechnological products.

Mexico’s measures appear to be inconsistent with some of its obligations as set out in the chapters on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. and access to T-MEC markets.

Today’s announcement follows the commitment of the United States to the Mexican government in its biotechnology policy, including speeches by Ambassador Katherine Tai with Mexican Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro.

The United States has used tools provided by the USMCA to try to resolve issues with Mexico’s biotechnology policy, including meetings of the Free Trade Commission, the SPS Committee and the USMCA Biotechnology Working Group.

On January 30, 2023, the United States sent a formal written request to Mexico in accordance with the USMCA SPS chapter (Section 9.6.14) forreceive an “explanation of the reasons” and “relevant information about” certain Mexican measures concerning biotechnological products, and Mexico provided a written response on 14 February.

March 2023 The United States requested and held technical consultations with Mexico. regarding its biotechnological measures under the USMCA SPS chapter, but the consultations did not resolve the matter.

Finally, a neighboring country made it clear that he would consider all optionsincluding additional measures to enforce their rights under the USMCA unless Mexico reverts to a science and risk-based biotechnology policy that is consistent with USMCA commitments.

Source: Aristegui Noticias

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