Possible Monsanto GMO Corn Authorization in Mexico Prompts Opposition Mariel Matze - Argentina Independent
go to original November 13, 2012

Mariel Hemingway gives some info on The #StopMonsanto Feature Film Project. For information on how you can get involved go here.

Greenpeace and small-scale farmers’ organizations demand the Mexican government not approve agricultural giant Monsanto’s bid to plant genetically-modified (GMO) corn in the northern states of Sinaloa and Tamaulipas. They cite protection of biodiversity, food supply, human health, and cultural sovereignty and risks of industry monopolisation.

Monsanto’s two proposals submitted to the National Sanitation, Inoculation, and Agricultural Quality Service (Senasica) on last 7th September include more than one million hectares, 700,000 of them in Sinaloa, the most prolific white corn-producing region in Mexico.

“There is no technological, economic, nor ethical reason that benefits the population and the majority of the rural producers,” argued National Autonomous Regional Farmers’ Organizations Union (UNORCA) president Olegario Carrillo Meza.

Opponents say GMO corn jeopardises native corn varieties. “If the authorisation goes through, the region’s white corn harvests will be contaminated and the grain quality will be harmed,” explained Greenpeace Mexico’s coordinator for Trans-genetic and Sustainable Agriculture, Aleira Lara. Native corn varieties usually used to make corn tortillas, a staple of the traditional Mexican diet, would be in “grave danger”. The practice of marketplace grain exchange that goes back thousands of years may also be affected. Furthermore, some have concerns that Monsanto could stand to monopolise Mexico’s corn production. The trans-national company already controls 90% of the world market in genetically-modified seeds.

“With Monsanto’s solicitation, the commercial authorization would be total liberation, without any measures for biosecurity and that poses a major risk for the Mexican food supply,” Lara declared.

President Felipe Calderón approved experimental GMO corn seeds in 2009. This year, 177 allowances have already been granted, among them Pioneer Hi-Bred International’s plan to plant GMO corn on more than 350,000 hectares in Tamaulipas. Mexico currently imports ten million tonnes of yellow corn for consumption.

Mexico will witness a leadership shift on the 1st December, but the change is hardly encouraging for activists. Calderón will hand off the presidency to Enrique Peña Nieto, of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). “The PRI government has a history of behaviour in support of the trans-genetics in the legislatures … Unfortunately, Peña Nieto has named Dr. Bolívar Zapata as part of his cabinet,” who, Lara says, “was a strong industry lobbyist when they approved the current law, inclined to cover Monsanto’s interests”.

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