MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine farmers plan soft protests and continued dialogue

Eduardo Buzzi president of the Argentine Agrarian Federation.

Argentine farmers' organizations announced on Thursday the end of the 30 days truce which was agreed to dialogue with the government over taxing and other grievances, and warned they would return to protest in the country's main routes.

"We're signaling the end of the truce. We will begin a gradual mobilization process but without road blocks and no shortages", said Eduardo Buzzi president of the Argentine Agrarian Federation. Although some advances were agreed during the month long truce, in wheat and beef, there was also much frustration and provocation from Argentine government authorities who are determined to apply a sliding tax system on grains and oilseeds exports, rejected by farmers, and which is at the heart of the controversy that triggered a three weeks strike with roadblocks and shortages. One day before the end of the truce on May 2, the four farmers' organizations met to consult their rank and file and decide what steps to take from now on. "For us the truce is over. A new struggle phase begins", said Mario Llambías president of the Argentine Rural Confederation. "Beginning Saturday we're back on the highways". Nevertheless the four organizations agreed they would continue negotiations with the Argentine government next Tuesday. Luciano Miguens president of the Argentine Rural Society said that cabinet chief Alberto Fernandez who chairs the round of talks promised to discuss, and possibly modify, the controversial taxing system next Tuesday. Farmers insist the sliding levies on exports must be eliminated while the government, which considers it a valid system to redistribute windfall earnings from soaring commodities, is willing to consider some modifications in the form of compensations for smaller farmers. The long farm stoppage signaled the first serious political crisis of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's administration and forced the resignation of Economy minister Martin Lousteau who was the brains behind the new taxing system. He was replaced by a relatively unknown economist Carlos Fernandez but a stalwart of former president Nestor Kirchner. According to Argentine political analysts Mr. Kirchner favors a strong stand against the protesting farmers whom he blames for exposing the alleged "weakness" of his wife's administration. Meantime cabinet chief Fernandez defended the export sliding levies system on farm exports before the Senate arguing they are "fairer than fixed levies". He added that the government was gradually recovering its dialogue capacity with farmers and "we must take hold of the opportunity with common sense; we can't let us be trapped in a political discussion".