ARGENTINA

BUENOS AIRES - Hundreds of honey producers in beekeeper suits sprayed smoke canisters and waved banners Tuesday outside Government House, protesting a hefty new U.S. tariff on Argentine honey imports.

The demonstrators, who set up hives with live bees on a downtown boulevard, contended that Argentine honey was being unfairly hit by a tariff of more than 50 percent.

The dispute has gained news media attention since a decision this month by Washington to penalize Argentina for subsidizing honey production.

"Honey, we've got problems!" read a headline Monday in the English-language daily Buenos Aires Herald. The newspaper noted that Argentina exports 80,000 tons of honey each year, half of it to the United States.

American producers have complained the subsidies allow Argentine honey to sell in the U.S. at much lower prices, harming local competitors.

Argentina's government contends the money it gives to honey producers is a tax refund.

Items compiled from Tribune news services.
5-22-01