There is no need to be afraid: after the Government's move to amend the land law, Nicolás Pino defended the purchase of fields by foreigners

The Argentine government faced delays in its attempt to revise the land law after the Senate postponed voting on the proposed legislation. Nicolás Pino, president of the Sociedad Rural Argentina (SRA), expressed disappointment over the delay and emphasized the need to proceed with a measure he described as "very necessary" for the country. Pino supported the possibility of allowing foreigners to purchase land in Argentina, although he acknowledged the necessity of clear regulations for specific situations. Pino criticized the legislative branch for slowing down a proposal that had been widely discussed with various sectors. He stated that the legislative body was once again hindering something essential, noting that the initiative was not only crucial for agriculture but also for all of Argentina. The SRA had participated in prior consultation stages, contributing ideas to the process. Pino argued that these issues needed to be addressed more efficiently, emphasizing that they were good laws for a nation requiring faster progress. In addition, Pino backed the provision regarding foreign ownership of land, which became the main obstacle preventing the ruling party from securing the necessary votes in the Senate. He asserted that the SRA would always support respect for private property, stating that fears about foreigners buying land in Argentina were unfounded, as this had already occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries. He noted that Argentina itself was built by foreigners, suggesting there was no reason to fear such developments. However, Pino clarified that certain particular situations might require regulation. As an example, he mentioned the acquisition of fields intended for parks or nature reserves. He stressed that while individuals could do as they pleased with their land, they should not harm their neighbors. In some parts of Patagonia, the expansion of wild species such as pumas, red foxes, and guanacos affects sheep production. Therefore, Pino argued for the necessity of a land law and open dialogue on relevant matters. The proposal for the inviolability of private property, promoted by Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation Federico Sturzenegger, was scheduled to be debated yesterday in the Senate. However, the ruling party decided to postpone the vote until August 6 due to lack of support for approving the section concerning foreign land purchases. The initiative aims to amend the current Rural Land Law and remove existing limits on land acquisitions by foreign individuals and entities. The legislation enacted in 2011 stipulates that foreign ownership cannot exceed 15% of rural lands nationwide, within each province, department, or municipality, and further specifies that no single nationality can hold more than 30% of that quota. The latest version of the bill allows unrestricted purchases of rural land by foreign individuals and legal entities, while requiring joint authorization from the national government and the provincial government where the property is located for companies with foreign state participation. This point generated differences during parliamentary negotiations and ultimately prevented the ruling party from gathering the required votes for approval. The government maintains that the reform seeks to attract investments and emphasizes that the openness does not extend to foreign states but solely to private investors. Nonetheless, the chapter sparked resistance not only from the Kirchnerist faction and the left but also from part of the centrist opposition, who raised objections regarding its scope.