Canada has requested formal consultations with Mexico on its restrictions on the import of genetically modified agricultural products under its free trade agreement, in which the United States also participates on USMCAreported this Wednesday BloombergNews after citing sources close to the subject.

The Ottawa government’s request came on Tuesday, Bloomberg reported, a day after Washington requested formal trade consultations over its objections to Mexico’s plans to limit imports of genetically modified corn and other agricultural biotech products.

On Monday, the United States began a technical consultation procedure under the Mexico-United States-Canada Treaty (T-MEC) — under Chapter 9, on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures — to discuss with the Mexican government its concerns regarding policies regarding agricultural biotech products.

The announcement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTRfor its acronym in English) occurred after the Mexican government issued a decree on February 13 which, among other actions, reaffirms the ban on the use of glyphosate Since January 31, 2024, it prohibits the import of transgenic corn for the preparation of dough and tortillas (although it is authorized for breeding and industrial uses) and establishes the ban on the planting of transgenic maize.

A spokesperson for Canada’s Department of Commerce had no immediate comment, nor did a spokesperson for the Department of the Economy.

Mexico plans to regulate genetically modified corn for human consumption, which US officials say jeopardizes some $5 billion in corn exports to its southern neighbor and could hamper biotech innovation.

The Mexican government has previously indicated that Washington’s disagreement with its measures was politically motivated.

However, Canada is not a big exporter of corn, and the government in Ottawa is generally concerned that Mexico is imposing arbitrary bans on biotech agriculture, Bloomberg reported.

He is also concerned about the Mexican government’s lack of respect for the North American trade pact, USMCAAccording to the report.

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