Argentina exported 190,446 tonnes of fish and shellfish worth USD 371.4 million in the first five months of 2008, indicate statistics released by the National Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASA). These figures represent an 11.2 per cent fall in volume and a 9.7 per cent drop in value compared to the same period last year when 214,373 tonnes were exported for USD 411.3 million.
Positive and important were the words used to describe the Monday afternoon hour and a half meeting between Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and farmers in Government House following a stand off of over 100 days.
Argentine television cameraman Erich Schmidt died in Buenos Aires last weekend after a long illness.
The influential Spanish daily El País in one of its main editorials recently criticized the decisions, speeches and ruling attitude of Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner arguing they are eroding Argentina's economic credibility and the image of the Kirchner couple government.
In what seems a first positive approach Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner invited farmers' leaders to meet Monday afternoon in Government house (Casa Rosada) to talk about all issues related to the 103 day stand-off that began as a simple protest against taxes and became has turned into full blown political crisis.
Argentina banned all fishing activities to the south of the Falkland/Malvinas Islands and to the east of the Isla de los Estados in an area dominated by the Burwood bank. The ban, total and permanent was decided to preserve biodiversity in the area and in the framework of commitments agreed with FAO.
Argentine farmers decided on Wednesday to extend the ban on grains and oil seeds exports until next Saturday disappointed with a farm bill sent for Congressional consideration and direct allegations to farm leaders from President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
Argentina is only shipping soybeans from Paraguay in an attempt to honor overseas contracts since no local supplies are arriving to export ports because of the 100-day farmers' stand off with the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
A clear majority of Argentines supports the government's decision to send the sliding export tax on grains and oilseeds to Congressional consideration, according to public opinion polls released in coincidence with the 100th day of the stand off between the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and farmers.
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez moved on Tuesday to defuse a prolonged political conflict asking Congress to ratify a sliding export tax hike on grains and oilseeds which has been at the heart of 100 days stand off with farmers.