MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

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Brazil is the world's main beef exporter; Sanitary rifle in Paraguay; Argentina seeks boost for economy.

Brazil is the world's main beef exporter

Brazil has become the world's top beef exporter, (ahead of Australia) with overseas sales of 1,5 million tons in the last twelve months. "We expect exports to keep growing in the second half of the year in spite of lower average prices and higher costs", said Antenor Nogueira a member of the National Farm Confederation board. Mr. Nogueira interviewed in Sao Paulo said that export prices between January and June actually fell 6,7% while costs increased 7%. Similarly broiler sales overseas in the first half of 2003 have boomed with volume increasing 49% and revenue 34%. However Brazilian exporters are concerned with the quotas imposed by Russia, higher tariffs in Europe and a possible clash with Argentina if monthly sales keep rapidly increasing.

Sanitary rifle in Paraguay

Paraguayan authorities will be sacrificing an estimated 300 head of cattle and pigs in a remote village close to Bolivia were blood samples for foot and mouth disease proved positive. "The positive blood samples indicate that the animals have been in contact or exposed to the "O" and "A" FAM virus similar to those that caused the outbreaks in Bolivia and Argentina", Gerardo Bogado, head of the country's National Animal Health Service. Mr. Bogado added that given the remoteness of the village of Pozo Hondo, it will take the veterinary mission 18 hours to reach it, including the heavy equipment needed to dig a deep pit to bury the herd to be terminated with the sanitary rifle. "Besides a sanitary perimeter of 25 kilometres has been established until we are certain that we have a confined situation". Mr. Bogado also pointed out in an official release that the International Epizooties Office in Paris has been informed of the situation as well as Mercosur members and those countries that purchase beef from Paraguay. The Pozo Hondo situation follows a limited outbreak last October in the north of the country next to Brazil which cut Paraguay's sales to Chile and the European Union. The quick reporting and admittance of the situation by Paraguay was praised by Mercosur members, since two years ago the country's reluctance to act caused a major FAM situation that extended to Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil. The situation created in Paraguay occurs a week after the OIE officially declared neighbouring Argentina free of FAM with vaccination.

Argentina seeks boost for economy

Argentina's government has announced an increase in the minimum wage and pensions, an effort to boost flagging consumption and keep the economy growing. The measures, contained in a decree and signed by President Néstor Kirchner, will increase the minimum monthly wage from 200 pesos ($72, ?64, £44) to 300 pesos between now and December. Minimum pensions will rise by 10 per cent to 220 pesos a month. But many now believe growth is beginning to flatten out, in part because of weak consumption.