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EU lifts poultry ban; Air traffic keeps dropping; Naval exercises; Cruise optimism in Punta Arenas; Record price for the US dollar in Chile; Ushuaia has world's highest level of ultraviolet radiation

EU lifts poultry ban

The European Union lifted the ban to Chilean poultry exports that was standing since over two months following the outbreak of "chicken influenza" in the country. According to a Chilean Agriculture release, "The EU Veterinary Committee decided to accept the Chilean Agriculture and Livestock Service proposal to allow access of poultry from areas in Chile free of chicken influenza". Shipments could begin once the approval resolution is officially published in the EU Gazette. Last July and following other Latinamerican countries Brussels announced it was banning the import of Chilean poultry because of an outbreak of chicken influenza. Santiago authorities also revealed that a Chilean delegation is in Brussels since last week informing EU officials on progress in the campaign to eradicate the disease. Chilean annual poultry exports represent over 400 million US dollars.

Air traffic keeps dropping

For the eleventh consecutive month air traffic in Chile last July dropped totaling a 10,9% fall at domestic level and 6,1% compared to a year ago, according to the latest figures released by the Chilean Civil Aviation authorities. In the seven months of 2002, domestic traffic decreased 10,5% and overseas 10,8%, adds the official report. Last July domestic passenger traffic reached 243,983 passengers, 1,657,658 in the first seven months, of which Lan Express flew 76,4%, Lan Chile 20,6%, AeroContinente 1,3%, Aerovias DAP 0,7% and Aeromet 0,3%. Regarding flights between Chile and the rest of the world, pax-kilometer in July reached 1.234,69 million, with an accumulated 8.058,98 million during the first seven months of 2002. Of this total, 42% corresponded to Chilean airlines, with Lan Chile taking the lion's share, 93%, Lan Express 5,6% and the defunct AeroContinente 1,4%.

Naval exercises

Chilean and Argentine Navies concluded last weekend several days of joint exercises in the extreme south including the simulated evacuation of civilians from a fictitious country undergoing "internal revolutionary turmoil". Commander Luis Torres, head of the Beagle Naval District seated in Punta Arenas said the exercise evolved mostly in the Beagle Channel area, concluding in Ushuaia, Argentina. "The simulation was an evacuation operation involving foreigners, particularly Argentine and Chilean citizens, from a country undergoing an internal revolution. Once we make the assessments we'll be able to give further information and make any corrections that might be needed for future operations", indicated Commander Torres. The main evacuation was a joint amphibious operation from the island of Ambarino and Puerto Heberton, to the south of the main Tierra del Fuego island, east of Ushuaia. The area where most of the joint exercise took place pushed Argentina and Chile to the verge of war in 1978, and was only stopped by a direct appeal from Pope John Paul II, when the troops were beginning to move.

Cruise optimism in Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas maritime agencies are particularly optimistic about the coming cruise season that is expected to attract a significant number over a year ago. Punta Arenas Port Authority Operations Manager, Eduardo Manzanares just a couple of weeks ago anticipated that sixty cruise vessels would be visiting Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales in the coming months. Now Mr. Leonardo Castex, president of the Punta Arenas Maritime Chamber has said that "we're easily going to manage an additional 10,15% over the previous season, so that means we're talking of at least 65 cruise schedules". However Mr. Castex also pointed out that it's as important "that we begin preparing to receive so many visitors, and have special consideration for them, treating them in a friendly manner, with respect including when prices are involved; that is if we want to see them again and the industry to keep growing". "If we behave accordingly, people will return, more cruise vessels will include us, if not?.", stressed Mr. Castex.

Record price for the US dollar in Chile

The US currency reached a historic high this week in Chile, selling in the local financial market at 721,50 Chilean pesos. Last Friday the US dollar closed at 716 Chilean pesos. Apparently the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States and "war drums" involving the Iraq situation have had a volatile impact in the Chilean currency market with corporations and banks purchasing the US currency. "It has been an unstable beginning of the week in financial markets", said a Chilean currency operator last Tuesday in Santiago. The Chilean currency has been eroding much faster than programmed in the financial and monetary budgets, but the government has been slow in reacting, hoping it will help boost the exporting sector, given the current recessive mood in the domestic market. Although Chile has not undergone the financial upheaval of neighboring Mercosur members, it has suffered a slow down in growth and foreign trade.

Argentine city has world's highest level of ultraviolet radiation.

Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, currently receives the highest exposure to ultraviolet radiation on Earth as a result of the thinning ozone layer, experts said Tuesday. For two days, an ozone hole will be positioned directly above Ushuaia, the capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province and located some 3,580 kilometers (2,224 miles) south of Buenos Aires, according to calculations by scientists at the Global Atmospheric Watch Station. The city is already recording higher ultraviolet radiation levels significantly below what are considered normal readings. Carlos Lopez, epidemiology director for Tierra del Fuego, warned residents to protect children from exposure to the sun's rays, since increased ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts or weaken the immune system. Mayor Osvaldo Barturent, who runs the atmospheric watch station, told reporters that Ushuaia is the world's only permanently inhabited area currently being affected by such a phenomenon. "All the conditions are right for the formation of an ozone hole, which is now developing," the mayor said.