Farmers and ranchers members of the Venezuelan Ranchers' Federation (Fedenaga) fear for the future of the sector in the face of Venezuela's admittance to the Southern Common Market (Mercosur,) as they cannot catch up with Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.
 
Fedenaga has requested the national government to clarify the membership conditions, if there will be open borders or some protection, Genaro Méndez, the head of the association, said.

"If inclusion in Mercosur is without protection barriers for Venezuelan ranchers, then we are dead," he admonished.

"Brazil has the major cattle herd in the world and is the largest exporter of meat. Uruguay is a major exporter of milk and diary products. Argentina is also a major exporter of meat and milk."

Méndez suggested the creation of a taskforce to analyze economic and legal conditions of the agricultural and breeding sector in Venezuela, as compared to Mercosur members. "In those nations there is not land seizure, squatting in private property, bribe by Colombian rebels, guerrilla or chasing by tax agencies such as the Venezuelan Internal Revenue System. Additionally, they enjoy the best lending conditions."