(Adds background on the dispute)
MEXICO CITY, March 7 (Reuters) - Mexican President
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Tuesday the country would go to
a dispute panel under a regional trade deal if there is no
agreement during consultations with the United States over
Mexico's plans to regulate genetically modified corn.
Lopez Obrador said in a regular news conference that both
parties have one month to reach an agreement during
consultations.
The United States requested formal trade consultations with
Mexico on Monday over its objections to Mexico's plans to limit
imports of GMO corn and other agricultural biotechnology
products.
U.S. officials have said Mexican plans put some $5
billion of corn exports to Mexico at risk and could hurt
biotechnology innovation.
The Mexican government last month described Washington's
disagreement with its policies as
politically motivated
, adding its position is compatible with the deal's rules.
(Reporting by Valentine Hilaire and Raul Cortes Fernandez;
Editing by Brendan O'Boyle)
