CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)--The owners of a cattle ranch in western Venezuela on March 14 rejected a statement by a government agency that said that their property documents were not legitimate and the land belonged to the state, according to a spokesperson for the owners.

The National Lands Institute said in a statement in middle March that Hato Pinero, which is also an animal reserve, belonged to the state and will be given to poor farmers.

A land reform law pushed by Chavez in 2001 states that the government can expropriate farmlands if they are declared idle or if rightful ownership is not proved as far back as 1830.

The Branger family, who owns the 80,000-hectare (198,000-acre) farm in the western state of Cojedes, has not been notified officially of the land agency's decision, said Nancy Rincon, a spokesperson for the Brangers.

The family insists the property documents are legitimate and prove rightful ownership of the farm, which is also a popular spot for international tourists, Rincon said. As soon as the family is officially informed of the decision, they will appeal it, she added.

The land agency also declared that 12,950-hectare (32,000-acre) El Charcote ranch in Cojedes, belonging to a Agropecuaria Agroflora, a local affiliate of British Vestey Group, is state property and will be divided between poor farmers.

In a statement, Agroflora said that it had not received official notification of the decision and was waiting for it before issuing a reply.

Jose Luis Betancourt, a leader of the National Rancher's Association also rejected the statement by the agency, and said that according to Venezuelan law, the ranch owners had the right to appeal the decision at court.

"The National Lands Institute cannot expropriate lands without a court sentence," said Betancourt on an interview with local television station Globovision.

Land from two other smaller farms in central and eastern Venezuela has also been declared state property.

According to Venezuela's Constitution, private property can be expropriated in case of "public use or social interest," but the government must compensate the owner.

Critics say that the move threatens private property, but Chavez, who has declared "war on large estates" says that most farming lands were acquired illegally before he became president in 1999.

Date: 3/22/05