March 26, 2008

Argentina's farm groups to continue strike to protest tax on soy exports

Argentine farm groups announced Tuesday ( March 26, 2008) that a nationwide farm strike will be extended indefinitely to protest an increased export tax on soy imposed by the government earlier this month.

Farmers have been on strike for 13 days, demanding that the new tax scheme be scrapped. Consumers have started to see shortages of certain foodstuffs and the situation is expected to worsen this week as stocks dwindle.

While the transport of milk and other highly perishable goods to processing plants will be allowed, grain and beef trade will be halted, Argentine Agrarian Federation President Eduardo Buzzi said at a televised news conference.

Farmers will continue to harvest the ripening crops and place the grain into local storage units, but transport to the export ports will be prevented, Buzzi said.

Farmers have been staging protests and blocking roads at dozens of points across the central farm belt. Supermarkets have already started to see shortages of some beef cuts.