March 20, 2009

Argentina's farmers took to the streets again Thursday (March 19) to protest government farm policy after the House of Representatives failed to vote on a bill to lower the export tax on grains.

 

Opposition legislators weren't able to muster the quorum needed to vote on the bill.

 

Farmers reacted angrily, vowing to protest at roadsides across the country.

 

In Santa Fe province, a small group of farmers was intermittently blocking traffic on the major highway connecting the capital Buenos Aires and the important agricultural hub of Rosario.

 

Leaders of the largest grower groups cautioned against roadblocks, but they have limited control over their angry membership.

 

Entre Rios province Agrarian Federation leader Alfredo De Angeli told reporters that there will be "many blocked roads (as) the base is uncontrollable."

 

On Tuesday, farm group leaders met with government officials for the fourth time in as many weeks, but they failed to break a deadlock in negotiations.

 

With the government unwilling to budge on the key issue of grain-export taxes, Argentine

Agrarian Federation president Eduardo Buzzi said the farmers would turn to the legislature for help.

 

The government has made a number of concessions regarding farm exports and subsidies, but has repeatedly said that the export tax on soy, the country's top crop, is not on the table.

 

On March 3, the government made concessions to meat, wheat and dairy producers, convincing farm leaders to sign a partial accord aimed at avoiding a repeat of a series of crippling strikes and roadblocks launched by farmers last year.

 

But farmers are still complaining about restrictions and taxes on exports as well as the widespread damage caused by a drought this season.

 

Farm group leaders are set to meet with Production Minister Debora Giorgi and Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo on Tuesday for the fifth weekly meeting aimed at defusing the conflict.