Translated by Samantha Lisk
All crops that affect production of organic foods and don’t represent a real profit for the nation should be eliminated from national programs.
“Authorizing the sowing of genetically-modified crops will impact almost 170,000 small farmers, mostly indigenous, who have found an alternative form of development in this production [of organic crops],” said Jesús Ortiz Haro, president of Mexican Organic Impulse.The Mexican organic market is valued at 9 billion pesos [USD$700,370,000], of which almost 8 billion [USD$622,550,000] comes from exports to Europe, the United States, and Canada. Authorizing the sowing of genetically-modified crops would leave the nation outside of the international markets where the demand for organic products is increasing.
“The European market for organic products is worth $24 billion dollars, and the U.S. and Canadian markets [are worth] $26 billion, which represents 90 percent of the world market for organic products,” Haro explained.Today the nation uses 512,250 hectares [1,265,797 acres] for sowing vegetables and fruits free from pesticides and agricultural chemicals; it’s an activity that creates jobs for 245,000 people. Ortiz Haro states that out of the total number of producers of organic foods, 99.6 percent have plots of less than three hectares [7.4 acres]. Out of those producers, 32 percent are women, and 88.3 percent belong to indigenous groups.
“They’re Mixtecs, Tojolabals, Chontals, and Mayas [indigenous peoples] who care for their environment, and they’re an example that it is possible to export if they’re organized.”Certification, he showed, is not an obstacle for those interested in offering these foods to the Mexican consumer. Although the costs range from 15,000 [USD$1,167] to 50,000 pesos [USD$3,890] a year, there is shared certification, an alternative for those who can’t pay high costs in order for their products to be considered natural.
“Everyone is looking for the niche for his or her product. In this country there are more than 14 certification authorities with international validity because they follow the protocol and are recognized by the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries, and Food.”Ortiz Haro, who is also the developer of Organics Expo, which will be held during the last week of June in Mexico City, also mentioned that the cost difference between conventional and organic products will be reduced if production is increased. Spanish original