The first announcement was made by Marcelo Ebrard, mayor of Mexico City, in regulations known as the ’Declaration of Protection of the Maize Breeds of the Mexico Altiplano’. [...] The declaration says that a research programme will be established with the aim of improving local maize breeds. There will also be funds to support farmers who sow only native seeds and to promote the use of organic fertiliser and pesticides. The purchase and distribution of transgenic maize in Mexico City is now banned.