MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

South America: Breaking News.

Lamb promotion

Lamb promotion and an increase in the current European Union lamb and mutton import quota are the pillars of Chile's agriculture development policy for the Magallanes Region. Chilean Agriculture and Livestock Minister Arturo Barrera who officially opened the Magallanes 50th. Livestock Expo in Punta Arenas indicated that it was essential for farmers to become more competitive adding that the "Lamb Program" sponsored by the central government together with regional officials, was targeted to the breeding of prime lamb both for Santiago's customers and to sell overseas particularly Europe. "Chile's current European Union lamb quota is 3,000 tons per year, but we expect to advance that figure during the coming Ibero-American summit to be hosted by Spain", said Mr. Barrera. "Negotiations are quiet advanced and are part of a greater package which we trust will be agreed in the framework of the European Union-Chile trade talks". Pablo Sapunar, president of the Magallanes Cattle Breeders Association suggested that the current quota "could be doubled in the near future", according to the current negotiations. Corriedale sheep and Hereford were the outstanding breeds of the cattle show. Australian judge Craig Turner had the job of assessing the best Corriedale. "Fleece and body structure are excellent", said Mr. Craig. Magallanes in the extreme south of Chile is the country's leading sheep farming area, with Corriedale the main breed.

"Paintball craze"

Just as in the United States, "paintball craze" has reached Punta Arenas. The game basically consists of capturing enemy territory and his flag and crest, armed with colored jelly bullets that "explode" on making contact. In a park a few minutes from downtown Punta Arenas, two forts stand fifty meters apart with jungle and bushes in the intermediate zone through where both "armies" advance with their jelly bullets. The game preferably should be played with five a side, each "soldier" is given 30 jellies, a protection mask and a camouflaged jacket. "It's sixty minutes of pure action and adrenaline", said an exhausted Jorge Vrasolovic, (28). "I very much recommend it, it's ideal to liberate