The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) will not release permits for the commercial planting of GM [genetically modified] corn without a scientific determination:
"We will not do anything to jeopardize the health of the population or the genetic wealth of the seeds," said Secretary Enrique Martínez y Martínez.
He made clear that he has asked the president of the National Autonomous University of Mexico [UNAM], José Narro Robles, and other institutions for a determination about the planting of genetically corn so that "the decision taken might have a great scientific backing".
"We have heard the concerns of associations, organizations, intellectuals, scientists and producers. We will take it all into account, but the decision will have a scientific basis," he said.
During the question and answer session, José Graziano da Silva, general director of the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO), presented the book "Panorama of Food and Nutritional Security in Mexico", and SAGARPA's head stressed that a "major reform in the countryside" will be carried out in the country to overcome the production stagnation that has persisted since 2000. In addition, more resources will be allocated to farmers and ranchers dealing with drought. So far only 10 million hectares and 6 million head of cattle are secured;
"We're poised to initiate major changes required in the sector, (but) those leading the Pact for Mexico will set the standard for the work."Martínez y Martínez reiterated that one of the institution's challenges is to make more productive the smallholding [small farms], as 77 percent of the agricultural land--25,000,000 hectares [61,776,345 acres]--is in the hands of producers with less than five hectares [12 acres], but these smallholders have no possibility of accessing credit, improved seed, fertilizer or farm implements.
He insisted that he has already initiated the "process of re-engineering the programs" of SAGARPA, including the program of direct support to the countryside (PROCAMPO), and those allocated to the fishing industry, among others, because
"it is necessary that the money reach those who most need it and that it become a stimulus and a shield so they [funds] are not used for electoral processes.
"We must also reduce the number of laws and regulations for the sector, so there will be a food and agriculture industry code, which will be a breakthrough for the reform to be achieved."
Related MV Posts:
- Science and Reality vs. Genetically Modified Corn in Mexico;
- Mexico: Permanent Peoples' Tribunal Hears Campesinos' Case Against Government Embrace of Neoliberalism, GM Corn first and foremost;
- Mexico Congress of Small Farmers Ready to Negotiate Rural Pact With Government;
- No Way for GM Corn and Native Corn to Coexist in Mexico - Scientists;
- Cultivation of Transgenic Corn in Mexico Will Leave a Microbiological Wasteland;
- Mexico NGOs Demand that Cultivation of GM Corn Be Prohibited;
- During Mexico Electoral Period, Monsanto was Authorized to Farm Genetically Modified Crops;
- Our Heart is Made of Corn.