Twenty-two months ago, Mexico became a GM maize-free territory, when a Federal Judge issued the precautionary measure that suspended authorizations to plant any genetically modified seeds of this grain, a staple food in the country, essential to its culture.

The temporary suspension reinstated in fact the moratorium on GM maize that had been breached by the federal government in 2009, when it started approving the growth of GM crops in experimental and pilot stages, continuing to do so until 2013. In September that year, just as Monsanto and other multinational corporations turned commercial planting up a notch, the precautionary measure was issued in response to the collective lawsuit filed by a group of organizations and citizens advocating for the human right to biodiversity and a healthy environment.

On July 5 last, the collective lawsuit that stopped GM maize from being planted in the center of corn origin and diversity entered its second year after a number of outstanding victories: the collective presenting the legal actions was granted favorable ruling in all 22 appeals and other contestations, which amount to nearly a hundred of legal remedies used by the government and multinational corporations.

The evil duo is not happy. Unspeakable excesses have been undertaken by the federal government: the legal system (financed with tax money) was put to the service of corporations to argue in favor of GM maize, against the national interest. It went as far as hiding information affecting the interests of multinational corporations in the trial.

Monsanto’s deceit has reached the courts of the judiciary, claiming that its transgenic technology reduces the use of pesticides and increases the productivity of crops for the benefit of farmers. Several studies reviewed during trial show just the opposite. The defendants are compelled to show that not planting GM maize is more harmful than planting it. Failure to do so means the precautionary measure will remain in force.

Movements and organizations have striven to defend the battered biodiversity and food sovereignty, with the support of a team of young lawyers that has so far kept the multimillionaire legal team of the corporations and the government, at bay.

In a press conference, renowned lawyer Bernardo Bátiz highlighted the work of attorney René Sánchez Galindo, “who has borne the legal burden that has managed to put a halt to Monsanto’s strategy.”

Sánchez Galindo has stated that they are now pursuing a permanent suspension of GM maize cultivation while in-depth definition of the process is carried out, but he refused to estimate how long will it take. “Every time we have made predictions, they were wrong”, he said. “We would not give a blank check to the judiciary, but so far they have implemented the collective rights contained in the law and international treaties on this topic signed by Mexico.”