ArgenINTA "is moving away from the objectives of its creation" and became "a means of evading compliance with the rules in force in the public sphere." This was the conclusion of the General Audit Office (AGN, for its acronym in Spanish) in their analysis of the work of the Foundation that gives support and assistance to the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA). The watchdog said that not only "had they not developed or implemented projects involving the use of funds" provided by the Government, but also benefited from the deposited money in rented accounts.

The foundation was created in 1993 in order to "facilitate the achievement of the objectives of INTA", for example, "contributing to the research and the link between the science and technology system and production." Its main resources are the funds which derive various State agencies in the development of projects agreed with the Foundation through collaboration agreements and card agreements.

The watchdog said that the purpose of the Foundation "was limited to the role of financial money manager" and this activity "is proper of state agencies that perform transfers." Thus, "departed from the purposes for which it was created." As stated in the report of the AGN published in August of this year, "in 2008 there were cases in which an inadequate application and a full or partial immobilization of public funds were verified," that is, that were used narrowly to or were not used directly.

An example of this is the former Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Nation (SAGPyA), the main contributor to the foundation, which resulted, in 2008, in more than $103 million, of which $13,109,935 "had no application ", causing a" decline of the National Public Budget with no specific destination, "according to the judgment of the auditors.

As a result of the frozen funds, "the Foundation established CDs in banks such as Banco Nación and Banco Galicia and took the resulting financial benefits of the interests." Therefore, not only did they not use the money to the objectives it was meant for but its deactivation obtained economic benefits. The AGN noted that in 2008 "the interests ArgenINTA recorded nearly $ 13 million." The audit said that "there is no legal justification to allow this as an own resource allocation."

The audit revealed the existence of 154 "revolving funds". This operative means that as they account their expenses, the agencies can replenish the funds. In this regard, the report notes that "there are no accredited legal requirements that enable this." This mean, the maneuver was not legally approved.

The AGN noted that as the head of public funds, the Foundation "has no administrative procedure manual or any rules on this matter." This makes it "impossible to implement a system of internal controls to ensure the viability and validity of the agencies actions."

The auditors had access to the minutes of the Board of Directors, led by the President of INTA, issued in 2008 and revealed that "the acquisition and subsequent donation of 18 cars, two motorcycles, a tractor and a trailer was adopted." The transports were delivered to the former ONCCA, the Department of Environment and ex SAGPyA. The audited reported that acquisitions "were resolved with the funds received from each agency," the AGN said "it is not appropriate that the Foundation claims ownership of those assets that distorts the symbol of donation" since the money for the purchase of vehicles was originally transferred by the entities benefited.

Cooperating Organisms 

In 2008, the foundation "received the support of 14 government agencies and 8 from the private sphere, which sponsored and contributed financially to the projects" among public agencies contributors stand out, besides the SAGPyA, the Ministry of Social Development, the former National Bureau of Agricultural Trade Control (ONCCA) dissolved by decree in February 2011, and the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET).

Finally the National Audit Office said that for the development of their tasks, "ArgenINTA received a commission of 3% on the value of the transferred funds."