Uruguayan government declares citrus emergency
Uruguay's Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fishing (MGAP) has declared a state of emergency in the citrus-growing areas worst hit by frosts in June. 
The move comes more than a month after authorities across the border announced similar measures in Northeast Argentina.
The emergency will last 90 days effective as of Aug. 1 in the departments of Artigas, Salto, Paysandú and Río Negro, in a bid to aid an industry that is set to register US$35 in losses this season.
A Ministry spokesperson told newspaper El Observador that MGAP was in the final stages of preparing an assistance package for growers and other companies affected by the disaster.
In conjunction, the Ministry of Work and Social Security has indicated affected workers in the citrus sector could be able to apply for unemployment benefits.
Related story: Uruguay frosts slash citrus production by 36%
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