US corn growers win dispute with Mexico over GMO corn ban

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Corn growers celebrated Friday as a dispute panel lifted Mexico’s ban of genetically modified corn.

In 2020, then-Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador ordered the ban of genetically modified corn imports by the end of 2024.

Mexico is the No. 1 export destination for U.S. corn.

The Nebraska Corn Board said this order violated Mexico’s commitment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Nebraska corn growers, along with other state and national corn growers, argued that the ban would significantly harm farmers and rural communities.

In 2023, the Mexican president issued another ban, this time on genetically modified white corn.

Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska said he been working toward the fall of this order.

“I have spent four years advocating for hardworking American farmers,” he said. “This decision is a victory for American agriculture producers and the future of rules-based, science-driven trade.”

Mexico will have 45 days to lift the ban.