Belize Prime Minister Barrow has banned all genetically modified corn imported into the country without proper authority after the Toledo Maya of southern Belize said they consider the corn to be a threat to their existence and way of life.
The Maya, who refer to themselves as the people of the corn, consider modern maize to be their intellectual property, and see GMO corn as a potential danger to that property. They have voiced concerns that GMO seeds might sterilize their own crop and create pesticide-resistant "superbugs." According to Barrow, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority will be given substantial time to make a thorough assessment before any GMO seed will be allowed into the country.
