Iowa farmers who rely on exports to Mexico are concerned about the country's announcement to ban all GMO corn. The U.S. Grains Council estimates that Iowa sends around 16-17 million metric tons of corn to Mexico annually, with approximately 20% of U.S. corn in Mexico consumed by people.
Lance Lillibridge, an Iowa farmer who had 60% of his corn as GMO last year, expressed concern about the potential impact of Mexico's ban.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, has urged the U.S. trade representative to move towards a formal dispute settlement with Mexico. Grassley stated that the current situation undermines the trade agreements and contracts made between the two countries. He expressed frustration that after two years of discussions, there has been no progress made on this issue.
The ban on GMO corn in Mexico may have far-reaching implications for U.S. farmers who rely on exports to the country. The U.S. government will need to work towards a resolution to this issue to ensure the continuation of fair-trade agreements.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-Yasonya
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Corn