Rise of GMO Products Concern Activists in Mexico Montserrat Galvan - The News
go to original July 1, 2015

According to experts, the cultivation of genetically modified products and the importation of these to Mexico causes concern over the type of food products consumed in the nation. (The News/Martín Villanueva)

In the last eight years, permits to cultivate genetically modified (GMO) foods have increased in Mexico.

Applications for experimental or pilot program permits for genetically modified products between 2005 and 2013 soared 50 percent, according to statistics from the Inter-Secretariat Commission on Biosecurity of Genetically Modified Organisms, under the auspices of the National Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt).

The year with the most permit requests was 2011, with 114, while 2014 saw the smallest number of request at just 14.

During this period, 555 requests for cultivation were documented, 266 of them for the cultivation of cotton, 210 for corn, 42 for soy, 36 for wheat and one for alfalfa.

Examples of other genetically modified fruits and vegetables which have been cultivated in Mexico in the last 20 years include rice, squash, canola, chile, safflower, carnation, flax, lime, melon, papaya, pineapple, banana, tobacco and tomatoes.

According to data about the type of permits that were applied for, 451 corresponded to experimental programs, 99 were pilot programs and 11 were commercial.

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