MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazilian beef banned. Repsol- YPF. Internet.

United States joined Canada and this week banned all beef imports from Brazil fearing a potential for BSE, mad cow disease, after it was revealed that Brazil imported live cattle from Europe in 1999 and recently had an outbreak of scrapie in sheep. In a short release Canada said that the measures undertaken are "prudent and reasonable" and are in line with Canadian BSE prevention policy. However Brazil complained that the decision was "scientifically unjustifiable" and described it as a Canadian retaliation over the ongoing dispute between both countries in the aircraft market, an issue currently been considered in the World Trade Organization. United States officials said the measure was temporary, until a final assessment of circumstances can be done. Mexico also anticipated a similar ban for Brazilian beef, because the country recently closed its market to all European cattle and sheep related foods. Brazil only sells processed (cooked) beef to North America, but this amounted to the equivalent of 280 million US dollars in 2000. In Chile meantime officials named a advisory committee on BSE to monitor the situation, keep the country free of the disease and avoid a public opinion scare. The committee has representatives from the Health and Agriculture Departments, Universities, scientists plus delegates from the beef and dairy industries.

Repsol-YPF in Venezuela

Venezuelan government owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela, (Pdvsa) signed an agreement with Repsol-YPF to jointly exploit natural gas reserves in the Quiriquire field which will demand an initial investment of 120 million US dollars. Pdvsa-Gas president Domingo Marsicobetre said the agreement extends until 2013 and involves exploration and exploitation of known natural gas reserves. "Our data indicates that this province could hold up to four trillion cubic feet of gas, which together with the new fiscal policy will enable us to promote investments in gas fields and develop the industry", said Mr. Marsicobetre. The agreement is expected to increase Venezuela's gas production from 170 million to 270 million cubic feet per day.

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