As a member of the Permanent Constituent, the Congress of Mexico City approved the draft decree reforming and adding several provisions of articles 4 and 27 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, regarding the conservation and protection of native corn.

Legislator Olivia Garza de los Santos (PAN) indicated that her parliamentary group is in favor of protecting traditions and diversity, but that banning transgenic corn may bring consequences that must be considered, since a reform of this type cannot be applied in isolation, without mitigation measures. He said that “we still do not have food sufficiency in this basic product of the daily diet”, since a historic investment is needed to achieve it.

Congressman César Emilio Guijosa Hernández (MORENA in Spanish) emphasized his support for the protection of the identity and sovereignty of native corn, and pointed out that transgenic corn must be evaluated with strict criteria to avoid risks to the population.

“Mexico is the cradle of corn, a grain that has been an essential part of the culture, tradition and history of our people for millennia. Native corn not only feeds our bodies, but also nourishes our roots and traditions,” said Congresswoman Erika Lizeth Rosales Medina (Asociación Parlamentaria Progresista de la Transformación), who considered that the introduction of transgenic corn puts cultural identity, the autonomy of farmers and public health at risk.