Kirchner gets tough on Argentinian exporters

ARGENTINA’S President Nestor Kirchner has said he wouldn’t hesitate to extend his ban on the country’s beef exports for a full year.

He recently closed down most of the trade in nearly 660,000 tons of beef per year to more than 80 countries, for six months, in an attempt to bring down prices of beef at consumer level in Argentina.

The ban remains until the beef supply to the domestic market is ensured at prices accessible to consumers, said Government ministers last week, as they reached agreement with the meat industry and cattle farmers on the supply of 180,000 tons of beef per month.