Canada joining U.S. complaint against Mexico

Ottawa–Farm groups are praising the federal government for joining CUSMA dispute settlement consultations launched by the U.S. over a Mexican Presidential Decree that would ban the use of genetically-modified corn in food and cast uncertainty on the future acceptance of other types of agricultural innovations.

Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and several other ministers said in a statement that Canada shares U.S. concerns that Mexico’s measures are not scientifically supported and have the potential to unnecessarily disrupt trade in the North American market.

In addition to banning the ban of GE corn in tortillas and dough, the Mexican action would gradually substitute the use of GE corn in all products for human consumption and animal feed. It would reject applications for authorizations covering the importation and sale of certain biotechnology products.

“CUSMA is the most successful trade agreement in the world with over $2 trillion in trade flowing between our three countries every year,” the ministers said. “We have always been clear that Canada expects our partners to uphold their commitments under CUSMA – including sanitary and phytosanitary measures.”

Canada is committed to science-based decision-making and keeping food, feed and the environment safe, while supporting the an innovative and sustainable agricultural sector that can address global challenges such as food security, sustainability, and climate resilience.

Krista Thomas, Vice-President of Seed Innovation and Trade Policy for the Canada Grains Council. (CGC) welcomed the government’s strong stand on science-based regulation and rules-based trade.

“Farmers need plant science innovations to help them tackle the climate crisis, address food security challenges and remain competitive,” she said. “Without predictable regulatory systems, it is much harder to get innovation into the hands of farmers.”

“Unfortunately, the introduction of Mexico’s Decree has injected uncertainty into North American markets. If this measure is not withdrawn, it has the potential to trigger food price inflation and undermine food security within the intricate supply chains of North America,” she said.

Jim Everson, President of the Canola Council of Canada (CCC), said there have been challenges to regulatory predictability in Mexico during the last few years. Regulatory approaches not grounded in sound science risk stifling access to innovations that farmers need to contribute to food security challenges, address climate related production issues, and remain competitive and profitable.

“To continue to serve the Mexican market and other key export markets, it is essential that Canada’s trading partners support and implement science-based regulatory systems that enable getting innovations, including products of agricultural biotechnology, authorized and approved and into the hands of Canadian canola growers,” he said.

While there have been some positive signals from Mexico recently, more formal and substantive assurance is required to provide clarity and certainty about the regulatory approach moving forward. Without that, there is concern that similar issues could arise in the future and precedence established for approaches not based on science, Everson said.

Thomas said the grain sector hopes the upcoming consultations with Mexico will lead to a quick resolution, without disruption to North American markets or increased risk to food security.

“Canada, the United States and Mexico make up the largest regional trading block in the world, supporting millions of jobs and workers. The CGC recognizes the ongoing efforts by governments to return to a predictable regulatory environment that will support farmers, supply chain resiliency, and predictable trade.”

Source: National Newswatch