September 1, 2023
The Government of Canada announced it will participate as a third party in the dispute settlement proceedings initiated by the United States under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) regarding the use of genetically engineered corn in tortillas and dough.
These proceedings are in regard to measures outlined in a February 2023 Mexico Presidential decree which will ban the use of biotechnology corn in tortillas and dough, with the intention to gradually substitute the use of biotechnology corn in all products for human consumption and animal feed, and the rejection of applications for authorizations covering the importation and sale of certain biotechnology products.
The Canadian Government said it shares the concerns of the United States that Mexico is not compliant with the science and risk analysis obligations under CUSMA's Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Chapter. Canada believes that the measures taken by Mexico are not scientifically supported and have the potential to unnecessarily disrupt trade in the North American market.