MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine farmers and government reach agreement on beef

Argentine farmers and government officials reached on Thursday a first agreement on a single issue beef, but insisted that many more points remain to be addressed. On Friday discussions will be focused on dairy and Monday on grains and the sliding export levies which triggered the 21 day farmers' strike and shortages conflict.

The Argentine government promised to lift the ban on beef exports if farmers agree to a sufficient supply of livestock that will help ensure prices of 13 "popular cuts" are setback to early March levels. The agreement was reached after five hours of discussions at Government House, Casa Rosada. The government was represented by Cabinet Chief Alberto Fernandez, the controversial Home Commerce Secretary Guillermo Moreno and the Secretary of Agriculture Javier de Urquiza. The four farmers organizations had a total of ten representatives. "The agreement was circumscribed to an only issue, and we have many more pending and urgent issues for which we must reach consensus" warned Luciano Miguens President of the Argentine Rural Society and Eduarso Buzzi from the Argentine Agrarian Federation. "Many points are waiting to be addressed but fortunately in this meeting with the government common sense ruled and we have something to show our grass roots, because time is running out and the boys are becoming impatient", added Buzzi. While the meeting was on and in the same building just a few meters distance, Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner during an official ceremony insisted that "the camp's export surplus must grow and it must be achieved through greater productivity and not plunging more Argentines into poverty". The ongoing dispute with farmers is over the windfall earnings from export commodities and how far the Argentine government should tax them The Kirchners insist export taxes will help bring domestic food prices down and implement an income redistribution policy obviously channeled through their administration. Congressional opposition and other organizations claim the funds are managed discretionally helping to build the couple's power base.