In Mexico, supporters of the ban on genetically modified corn contend there are unintended side effects from its production that negatively affect human health. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: US challenging Mexico’s import ban on corn; Sprint Transport set to build new headquarters in Texas; FleetPride acquires Sam & Sons Truck Equipment; and Laredo border officers seize narcotics worth $11.5M.
US challenging Mexico’s import ban on corn
Farmers and policymakers in the United States are urging the Mexican government to reconsider an impending ban on imports of genetically modified corn by 2024.
Mexico’s plan to prohibit the importation of the crop began in 2020, when Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador decreed he would eliminate the use of the herbicide glyphosate and genetically modified corn in the country.
NCGA, which is based in Washington and represents the interests of farmers across the country, wants U.S. officials to launch a dispute settlement proceeding under the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade pact if a resolution can’t be reached soon.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is the only organization that can request a dispute settlement panel under the USMCA to challenge Mexico’s upcoming ban on corn imports.
“We are asking very clearly for them to bring a dispute settlement and we’re convinced they would win,” Kelly said. “The USTR and USDA say they’re trying to find a resolution, short of filing a USMCA dispute settlement. But we’ve been chasing our tails and the situation doesn’t seem to be improving.”
Sprint Transport set to build new headquarters in Texas
The 22-acre facility will include 19,000 square feet of office space and 30,000 square feet for an eight-bay maintenance shop, ISO tank container depot and tank-cleaning facility. La Porte is about 22 miles east of Houston.
Sprint Transport, founded in 2010, provides bulk liquid shipping services along the /Louisiana Gulf Coast. The company employs 131 drivers and has 156 trucks, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Sprint’s current /terminal is in Pasadena, Texas. The carrier also has terminals in Freeport and Nederland, Texas.
FleetPride acquires Sam & Sons Truck Equipment
FleetPride, which is based in Irving, Texas, has more than 300 locations across the U.S., including 75 service centers and five distribution centers.
Laredo border officers seize narcotics worth $11.5M
On Sept. 20, CBP officers were inspecting a tractor-trailer arriving from Mexico carrying a shipment of brooms. Officers discovered 32 packages containing about 81 pounds of alleged cocaine in the trailer. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $1.1 million.
Later the same day, CBP officers searched a truck carrying a shipment of Sheetrock from Mexico. Officers found 71 packages containing about 31 pounds of alleged heroin and 2,551 packages containing roughly 1,050 pounds of alleged methamphetamine. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $10.4 million.
CBP officers turned the case over to Homeland Security Investigations.
