Sin embargo, a pesar de la enorme importancia del maíz nativo, en el año 2009 el gobierno mexicano comenzó a conceder permisos a las empresas multinacionales para cultivar un maíz modificado genéticamente. Los defensores del medio ambiente, de la salud y de la justicia social denunciaron dicha maniobra. En 2013, una surtida coalición compuesta por 53 personas y organizaciones no gubernamentales en representación de científicos, pequeños agricultores, apicultores, consumidores y activistas de derechos humanos se unieron para presentar una demanda judicial colectiva e innovadora para frenar el cultivo del maíz modificado genéticamente (transgénico). Su caso, La Demanda Colectiva para la Protección del Maíz Nativo de México contra la Modificación Genética, va a generar leyes fundamentales para la justicia ambiental y social en México.

Discharges from irrigated agriculture are the largest source of pollutionin California’s Central Valley. Water diversions for irrigated agriculture pose significant environmental challenges by diminishing instream flows and depleting aquifers throughout the state. Agricultural operations also pose a significant threat to water quality when nitrates, pesticides, sediment, pathogens, heavy metals, and salts run off fields into surface and groundwater. Farming right up to the riverbank by intensive farming operations has also led to the destruction of natural riparian zones through increased erosion, nutrient and sediment pollution, higher water temperatures, and degraded aquatic habitats. 

Despite native corn’s enormous importance, in 2009 the Mexican government began granting permits to multinational corporations to cultivate genetically modified corn. Environmental, health, and social justice advocates denounced the move. In 2013, a diverse coalition made up of fifty-three individuals and non-governmental organizations representing scientists, small farmers, beekeepers, consumers, and human rights activists banded together to file an innovative class action lawsuit to halt further genetically modified corn cultivation.