Senate’s Landmark Decision to Safeguard Indigenous Corn

The Senate has passed a reform to articles 4 and 27 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, aimed at conserving and protecting the diversity of the country's 59 indigenous corn varieties. The reform was approved with 97 votes in favor and 16 against overall, and 88 votes in favor and 17 against in particular.

The constitutional amendments prioritize the protection of biodiversity, food sovereignty, and agroecological management. They also promote scientific and humanistic research, innovation, and traditional knowledge. The reform proposes that the State should foster conditions for rural, cultural, economic, and health development. This includes promoting traditional crops with native seeds, especially the milpa system, for optimal use of land free from genetically modified corn crops.

Furthermore, the reform encourages research, innovation, and conservation of agrobiodiversity, as well as technical assistance to strengthen national public institutions. Adán Augusto López Hernández, the president of the Political Coordination Board, stated that "corn is our greatest pride". He emphasized that the discussion is not just about science, dogma, transgenic or native corn, but rather the history of Mexico itself.

Senator Gerardo Fernández Noroña noted that the opposition supports private industries that threaten indigenous corn, against the interests of the nation. "Here, in the Senate, we are here to defend the health of the people of Mexico and you are defending transnational companies," he said.

Ana Lilia Rivera Rivera, from Morena, argued that protecting this grain and its producers in the Constitution is an act of sovereignty. The reform, she said, ensures that decisions about the national product are made based on the welfare of Mexico and not of large agro-industrial corporations.