Courts to Decide Future of GM Corn in Mexico Angelica Enciso L. - La Jornada
go to original April 29, 2015

In October, 2013, a judge in Mexico banned genetically modified corn seeds, citing the potential risk to the environment. (CCTV Global Business)

In the first case of its kind anywhere in the world, Mexico's courts will judge whether cultivation of GM [genetically modified] corn is appropriate in Mexico. This follows 21 months in which organizations and citizens have defended in the federal courts their class action lawsuit against cultivation of these products.

In 2013, dozens of citizens, 53 academics and 26 organizations filed the lawsuit, in which they argued that the sowing of GM corn in the country violates the rights of Mexicans to use the native corns and to biodiversity, as well as to health and food, including the national food that is the intangible heritage of humanity, explained Adelita San Vicente, from Seeds of Life [Semillas de Vida].

Now the courts will determine whether cultivation of GM corn will damage Mexicans' collective right to biodiversity. The central issue will be the human right to the diversity of native corns, San Vicente indicated.

At a press conference, René Sánchez Galindo, attorney for the Collectives association, pointed out that supporters of the class action lawsuit fought dozens of amparos and different legal actions filed in 17 courts by the federal government and multinationals, such as Monsanto, against the lawsuit and precautionary measure [restraining order] issued by a judge who, at the outset [of the legal process] suspended the process of authorizing permits for experimental, pilot and commercial planting of GM corn.

Now that the legal proceeding is getting underway, the courts will determine whether the suspension of cultivation is to be maintained. Also awaited is the response to the lawsuit by the Secretariats of the Environment and of Agriculture, as well as by the companies, explained San Vicente, who is also representative of the group that filed the complaint. It is anticipated that the final judgment might decide that the commercial planting of GM corn will damage the human right to biodiversity and prevent its planting, she said.

Read the rest at Mexico Voices

Mexico Voices is a blogging endeavor aimed at raising the awareness of U.S. citizens regarding the destructive impact of the U.S. economic policy and the War on Drugs on Mexico — on its people, their economic and physical security and their human rights, on the nation’s dysfunctional justice system, and on the rule of law and Mexico’s fragile democracy. Visit the website at MexicoVoices.blogspot.mx

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