[CTC] Fwd: United States Requests USMCA Dispute Settlement Consultations on Mexico’s Agricultural Biotechnology Measures

Fri Jun 2 12:26:02 PDT 2023

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From: USTR Press Office <ustrpressoffice at ustr.eop.gov>
Date: Fri, Jun 2, 2023 at 2:00 PM
Subject: United States Requests USMCA Dispute Settlement Consultations on
Mexico’s Agricultural Biotechnology Measures
To: <arthur at citizenstrade.org>

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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
June 2, 2023

*CONTACT*: media at ustr.eop.gov

*United States Requests USMCA Dispute Settlement Consultations on Mexico’s
Agricultural Biotechnology Measures*

WASHINGTON* –* United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today
announced that the United States has requested dispute settlement
consultations with Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
(USMCA).  These consultations regard certain Mexican measures concerning
products of agricultural biotechnology.

Mexico is one of our oldest and strongest trading partners.  Our trade
relationship is rooted in trust and honesty and there are many areas where
we cooperate and work together.

“The United States has repeatedly conveyed its concerns that Mexico’s
biotechnology policies are not based on science and threaten to disrupt
U.S. exports to Mexico to the detriment of agricultural producers, which in
turn can exacerbate food security challenges. Mexico’s biotechnology
policies also stifle agricultural innovation that helps American farmers
respond to pressing climate challenges, increase farm productivity, and
improve farmers’ livelihoods,” *said Ambassador Katherine Tai*. “We will
continue to work with the Mexican government through these consultations to
resolve our concerns and help ensure consumers can continue to access safe
and affordable food and agricultural products.”

“USDA supports success for all farmers, and that means embracing fair,
open, science- and rules-based trade. In this spirit, the USMCA was written
to ensure that producers in all three countries have full and fair access
to each other’s markets. *said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.* “We
fundamentally disagree with the position Mexico has taken on the issue of
biotechnology, which has been proven to be safe for decades. Through this
action, we are exercising our rights under USMCA while supporting
innovation, nutrition security, sustainability, and the mutual success of
our farmers and producers.”

These consultations regard measures set out in Mexico’s February 13, 2023
decree, specifically the ban on use of biotechnology corn in tortillas or
dough, and the instruction to Mexican government agencies to gradually
substitute—i.e., ban—the use of biotechnology corn in all products for
human consumption and for animal feed.  The consultations also regard
rejections of applications for authorization covering the importation and
sale of certain biotechnology products.  Mexico’s measures appear to be
inconsistent with several of its obligations in the Sanitary and
Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures and Market Access chapters of the USMCA.

*Background*

Today’s announcement follows extensive engagement by the United States with
the Government of Mexico on its biotechnology policies, including
Ambassador Tai’s discussions with Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Raquel
Buenrostro.

The United States has used the tools provided by the USMCA in attempting to
resolve concerns with Mexico’s biotechnology policies, including meetings
of the USMCA Free Trade Commission, SPS Committee, and Biotechnology
Working Group.

On January 30, 2023, the United States sent a formal, written request to
Mexico under the USMCA SPS Chapter (Article 9.6.14) for “an explanation of
the reasons for” and “pertinent relevant information regarding” certain
Mexican measures concerning biotechnology products.  Mexico provided a
written response on February 14.

In March 2023, the United States requested
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and held technical consultations with Mexico regarding its biotechnology
measures under the USMCA SPS chapter, but the consultations did not resolve
the matter.

Throughout our engagements, the United States has been clear that it would
consider all options, including further steps to enforce U.S. rights under
the USMCA, if Mexico did not return to science- and risk-based
biotechnology policies that are in compliance with USMCA commitments.
Through the action announced today, we will seek to work with the Mexican
government to resolve U.S. concerns fully.

USTR officials have worked closely with staff from USDA on this matter, and
both agencies will continue working together, in consultation with
stakeholders, to obtain Mexico’s full compliance with its USMCA commitments.

*Resource*

Copy of the consultations request
<https://ustr.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b58f12c4da47019d98a1e84ef&id=8cd18e63d2&e=ce4a1cee7f>

###
U.S. Trade Representative Press Office
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