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3.122. During 2017-21, Mexico notified the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade of 168 technical regulations relating mainly to the protection of human health and the environment, and consumer protection and information (labelling). (...)

Table ‎3.19 Main legal instruments that regulate the sanitary and phytosanitary system, 2021
(...)
General Law on Sustainable Forestry Development (LGDFS) - Publication in the Official Journal/latest amendment published in the Official Journal: 13 April 2020;
Regulations implementing the General Law on Sustainable Forestry Development - Publication in the Official Journal/latest amendment published in the Official Journal: 9 December 2020;
Law on Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms - Publication in the Official Journal/latest amendment published in the Official Journal: 6 November 2020;
Regulations implementing the Law on Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms - Publication in the Official Journal/latest amendment published in the Official Journal: 6 March 2009;
General Law on Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture - Publication in the Official Journal/latest amendment published in the Official Journal: 4 June 2018;
Law on Organic Products - Publication in the Official Journal/latest amendment published in the Official Journal: 7 February 2007;
Regulations implementing the Law on Organic Products - Publication in the Official Journal/latest amendment published in the Official Journal: 8 April 2010.

Table ‎3.20 Institutions responsible for the sanitary system, 2022
Institution: Interministerial Commission on Biosafety and Genetically Modified Organisms (CIBIOGEM); Function: Coordinates policy on the production, consumption, import, export and movement of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

3.133. In Mexico, SPS measures are established by means of a Mexican Official Standards (NOM). The procedure for preparing NOMs on plant and animal health, fisheries, biosafety and agri-food safety matters is the same as that used for other NOMs. The objective of these is to prevent, control and combat pests and diseases that affect plant, animal, aquaculture and fishery species. Each unit prepares the preliminary drafts; and the respective subcommittees (which comprise the National Advisory Committee on Agri-food Standardization (CCNNA) of SADER or the National Advisory Committee on Environmental and Natural Resource Standardization (COMANART) of SERMANAT) carry out the relevant reviews and amendments, respond to comments and approve draft NOMs and, if it is deemed necessary, submit them for consideration to the CCNNA or COMANART. (...)

3.136. In 2021, Mexico had 74 Mexican Official Standards (NOM) relating to animal and plant health in force, 29 of which concerned animal health and aquaculture, 32 plant health, 9 agri-food safety and 4 forest health. (...)

Table ‎3.21 Import certificates, 2021
Products: Wildlife species and their products, and forestry products.
Institution: the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT)/ the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA).

Table ‎3.21 Import certificates, 2021
Products: GMOs.
Institution: Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRIS)
Document: Prior sanitary import permit

3.140. The Interministerial Commission on Biosafety and Genetically Modified Organisms (CIBIOGEM) is responsible for establishing policies on biotechnology safety and the safe use of GMOs. These activities are regulated by the Law on Biosafety of GMOs and its implementing regulations. The importation of GMOs for experimental release into the environment, for pilot programmes or for commercial use, requires a permit issued by SADER and SEMARNAT, after a risk analysis has been conducted (Article 66 of the Law on Biosafety of GMOs). Subsequent imports do not require new permits, provided they concern the same GMO and the same area of release into the environment (Article 58 of the Law on Biosafety of GMOs).

3.141. The marketing, importing and processing of GMOs intended for human use or consumption require authorization from Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRIS) of the the Ministries of Health (SSA). This Commission carries out a risk assessment, in accordance with scientific protocols, to determine the safety of GMOs and their products for human consumption. GMOs or products containing GMOs, which are intended for direct human consumption, must bear an explicit reference to GMOs and the label must include their food composition or nutritional properties, where these differ significantly from conventional products. the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) issues Mexican Official Standards (NOMs) specifying labelling for seeds or other material intended for sowing, cultivation and agricultural production, containing GMOs (Article 101 of the Law on Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms).

4.1. (...) Between 2016 and 2021 there was a slight fall in the percentage of the population employed in agriculture (Table 4.1). Nonetheless, the sector continues to be important to the rural population (around 28 million people), as the majority of them are dependent on crop farming, hence the importance of agriculture in terms of social, economic and environmental equity in Mexico.