Tom Polansek

ANKENY. Iowa (Reuters). Mexico’s agricultural minister stated that Mexico would not allow the import of GMO corn from the United States at a meeting held in Iowa by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Mexico released an executive decree late last year, which sought to prohibit GMO corn use for human consumption within three years. It did not identify what products it would include, creating confusion in the industry. By 2024, the government would replace imports by local production.

Mexico is number 2. After China, Mexico is America’s second-largest buyer of U.S. corn. Victor Villalobos from Mexico’s Agriculture Ministry stated that Mexico wouldn’t allow GMO corn cultivation, but would permit imports from America.

Reporters were told by him that “We will continue to require and demand yellow corn form the United States.” Mexico relied on yellow corn for its agroindustries, he said.

Vilsack indicated that seeds would be next on the list of things the Department of Agriculture will investigate under a Biden Administration order regarding competition.

Vilsack stated that the administration will take a closer look at the industry to see “why it is structured in the way it is.” Vilsack said, “It’s hard to see why these long patents have any meaning.”

Companies, including Bayer AG (DE) Corteva Inc., which develops genetically engineered seeds and herbicides. Other companies are limited to producing these products after a patent has expired. Bayer (OTC-:), acquired Monsanto The US market has had a long-standing dominance of (NYSE:) since 2016.

Bayer and Corteva didn’t immediately reply to our requests for comment.