San Luis: The government blames farmers for intentionally starting the fires

The government blamed the agricultural producers of San Luis for causing serious fires in the area for the sole purpose of obtaining financial assistance from the State.

Therefore, minister of San Luis Sebastián Lavandeira Muñoz announced he will suspend subsidies and other assistance that had began to give to the ruralists. The delivery of corn and bales of alfalfa grass alloted to feed the animals whose grasslands have been burnt will be withdrawn “until the relevant proceedings to identify the culprits are performed”, the minister announced at a dinner with the producers themselves.

“We made a huge effort. We responded with goodwill, assisting the producers who had lost their animals and their grazing. And in turn we receive intentional fires to keep receiving aids, and taking advantage out of the state. We can’t tolerate that.”

 The San Luis governor warned that this blatant acts are considered a criminal deception because apart from the productive and environmental damages caused, they imply huge expenses for the Estate.

Yesterday, four outbreaks threatened the areas of Saladillo, Las Vertientes, Villa Larca and Candelaria, and a diaper factory at the west of the capital.

The Governor has imposed an action that consists of three steps, “fighting the fire, to mourn what was lost and finally find and punish those responsible for the havoc.”

Since Friday, five new outbreaks of fire endangered about 40 thousand hectares, while 80 thousand had been burnt a few days ago, in one of the worst fire episodes in its history.

The lack of rain coupled with the recent raising temperatures has  complicated the outlook for the forests in San Luis, Cordoba and Catamarca.