Colombia food exports shrink as farmers demand more protectionism
Colombia food exports shrink as farmers demand more protectionism
posted by Wesley Tomaselli
Sep 9, 2013
Colombia’s agriculture exports have fallen by 4.2% since the beginning of the year as farmers across the country demand more economic support from the government.
Data published in Colombia government agency DANE showed an 11.2% decrease of exports from the food and agriculture sector in July compared to the same month in 2012.
Talks between the government and farmers, who have been on strike in three regions across Colombia for the past 3 weeks, have so far settled on a deal that intends to halt food imports from other Latin American countries, freeze a condition that prevents farmers from saving their seeds after harvest, and provide subsidies for keeping costs of production low.
Farmers, truck drivers, students and other protesters from the countryside to urban centers like Bogota and Medellin have denounced President Juan Manuel Santos’ economic policies, saying that Colombia’s free trade agreements are hurting farmers.
More:
http://colombiareports.co/colombia-food-exports-fall-agriculture-strikers-demand-protectionism/
