12-11-2000 / John Otte, Economics Editor / Farm Progress
Genetically modified (GMO) crops have met stiff resistance in Europe. Japanese reception of the "improved" products is less than enthusiastic.
"In Mexico, Greenpeace is actively trying to create concerns about safety of GMO crops," said Hector Navarro at the Iowa-Mexico Corn and Soybean Summit 2000 held Dec. 5 in Des Moines, Iowa. "They launch unscientifically founded messages that these genetics could affect human health. Creating concern is easier than informing the general public."
Navarro, animal nutrition director, Mexico and Central America for the American Soybean Association, said when public concern is riled, authorities are "obliged to listen" and that becomes a force against biotech crops.
Integrity at stake
"The Mexican government generally supports use of genetically modified (GMO) crops," explained Ricardo Celma, U.S. Grains Council's regional director for Mexico and Central America. He said Mexico is importing GMO soybeans, cotton, strawberries and other products.
"The Mexican government tends to trust and rely on the judgment of U.S. government agencies such as USDA, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency to assure safety and quality of the products," he explained. "If the United States approves the product, the Mexican government will usually also approve it."
But Celma added that the Mexican government must respond to public concerns, and therefore it has formed a scientific committee to attempt to objectively assess the situation. Meanwhile the government will delay consideration of new food security and labeling laws for six months, he said. "The scientific community needs to use this period to provide as much scientifically-based information to the public and lawmakers as possible," he added.
Sizable market at stake
In 2000, Mexico bought about 4.5 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. corn. About one million tons were white corn destined for human consumption. Most of the rest went into livestock rations.
Mexico imported about 3.3 MMT of soybeans and additional soybean meal. Most of the beans and meal came from the United States.
"Meal drives soybean demand," explained Navarro. "As a result, we have excess oil. Genetically modifying soybeans to have more protein and less oil would fit the Mexican market."
Navarro expects Mexican soybean imports to rise about 8% a year. Most of the beans will come from the United States.
Corn is a special case
Mexico currently prohibits imports of GMO corn. "We have a unique situation with corn because corn originated in Mexico," said Celma. "We have several teozintle varieties that are being used to develop new hybrids. Thus it is not only in the interest of Mexico but also in the world's interest to protect this gene pool from contamination."
Celma said the Mexican government is acting to identify native corn varieties. He said they've been able to identify more than 80% of the varieties and transfer the genetic material to a gene bank. "We still need to identify about 20% of native corn varieties," he added.
"Once we are able to identify them and transfer them to a gene bank, we anticipate that Mexico will have no reservation about importing genetically improved corn."
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