Gov't rules out hike of drought emergency fund

The government recognized before the Agrarian Emergency Committee the severe drought issues in the central area of the country, although it will not increase the budget for the emergency fund of 100 million pesos to face the situation.

Members of the Liaison assured it after meeting with Agriculture Minister Norberto Yahuar and the head of the Agrarian Emergency Committee, Haroldo Lebed, held at the Ministry in Buenos Aires City.

Yahuar added that the government will not lower the export duties tax and ratified the “surgical help” policy for producers affected by the drought, especially in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Santa Fe.

The minister also stated that he will visit Vice-President Amado Boudou to give him details about the meeting with the farming sector.

Farmers had urged the national government to lower the export tax duties’ rates considering this year’s harvest is expected to drop by 10 million tons due to the drought.