41. Holding the Line Against Mexico’s GMO Corn Decree: NCGA’s Capitol Hill Briefing

Cobcast: Inside the Grind with the National Corn Growers Association

A major disruption to the market for U.S. corn is set to take effect in one year, as a decree by Mexico’s President would ban the import of GMO corn effective January 31, 2024.

Historically, Mexico is the number one market for U.S. corn, and so the NCGA has been active in pushing back, with strong support from the Biden administration in Washington.

The NCGA is urging the administration to hold the line and file a dispute settlement under the USMCA to hold Mexico accountable to their obligations under that trade agreement.

In order to build awareness of the issue in Congress, on January 31 NCGA held a well-attended briefing for Congressional staffers with an all-star panel of experts:

• Congressman Adrian Smith from Nebraska, chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade
• Acting Deputy Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Jason Hafemeister
• NCGA President Tom Haag
• Nebraska grower Andy Jobman

And the discussion was moderated by NCGA Vice President of Communications Neil Caskey.