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New lamb abattoir in Patagonia;
Argentine Antarctic Institute looks for funds.

New lamb abattoir in Patagonia.

With the sheep industry picking up in Argentine Patagonia, a new abattoir certified for exporting lamb to the European Union will be opened in Rio Gallegos. Faimali S.A. expects to kill 450,000 sheep per season making it the largest of its kind in Patagonia. The company currently operates a smaller plant in combination with a group of farmers organized in Estancias de la Patagonia.

"Last season we killed 240,000 sheep for Estancias. With the new plant we should reach 450,000, both for Estancia and other farmers who wish to join", said Enrique Jamieson, president of Faimali S.A.

During the sheep crisis of the nineties several Santa Cruz province farmers organized into Estancias de la Patagonia which has become the main supplier of the abattoir.

Mr. Jamieson added that the new plant which is expected to become operational next November will create 140 direct and 50 indirect jobs. "Actually some time ago we forecasted that as sheep farming recovers, the abattoir capacity would be insufficient so we began working in the new plant. We are complying with all EU and US demands and don't expect much difficulties with certification", indicated Mr. Jamieson. During each shift the abattoir will be processing 2,200 sheep, "but if needed we can work on a double shift". "Lamb export is a growing market, and Patagonia lamb has virtually become a trade mark in international markets", highlighted Mr. Jamieson.

Argentine Antarctic Institute looks for funds.

Argentina's Antarctic Institute is looking for additional funds in a very special year since Argentina is celebrating its first century of uninterrupted presence in Antarctica.

The Institute's Director Mariano Memolli visited Congress last week and requested from the Budget Committees an additional six million pesos (approximately 2 million US dollars) for Antarctic activities.

The current budget of the Antarctic Institute, according to the Buenos Aires press, stands at 7,7 million pesos (approx. 2,5 million US dollars), of which 600,000 are for scientific research activities.

Apparently Congress members promised to consider the issue and anticipated they would begin inter-party discussions on the issue given the fact that Argentina has now become the permanent seat of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat.

Questioned about the general belief among Argentines -supported by recent opinion polls-- that the country effectively has sovereignty over a triangle of Antarctic territory, Mr. Memolli pointed out that the Antarctic Treaty was actually created with the purpose of freezing all territorial claims. "The Treaty defers any discussions on the matter, which does not mean Argentina, or any other country member, has to drop its claim", said Mr. Memolli.