MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Frustrated Argentine farmers promise great Sunday rally

While Argentine government officials expressed “optimism”, following the Thursday meeting with camp representatives to discuss tax policies, farmers said they were “let down” and “feel frustrated” by the government's attitude of delaying proposals and discussions.

Representatives from the four farm organizations leading the 70 days long conflict met with cabinet chief Alberto Fernandez and Economy Minister Carlos Fernandez to discuss basically the sliding export levies on grains and oil seeds which triggered the conflict when they were first imposed in early March. "The meeting was bad, there's a clear delay attitude as the answer to our questions. This is having a negative impact on people and many are feeling let down", said Eduardo Buzzi from the Agrarian Federation. "That's why Sunday must see us together united in an overwhelming rally at Rosario", insisted Buzzi. Mario Llambias from the Rural Confederations was also disappointed: "the word is not cheated but rather let down". "The government has been long announcing a proposal for the sliding export tax system but we don't know what it is", he added signaling that "there's growing concern among grass roots". Mr. Fernandez in a press conference following the meeting said that most probable next week we will begin "to address the impact that the sliding levies have on the futures market, according to farmers' organizations". However he insisted the government was convinced that "the sliding export levies are a valuable asset" and also a "solution for the problem faced by the world", particularly the growing demand for food and bio-fuels. "The conflict began when the sliding export taxes were announced and the objections were mainly because they did not discriminate between small and big farmers of soy beans and the difficulties experienced by others wishing to plant soy", said Alberto Fernandez. But Buzzi responded to the official optimism saying that "the discussion has been again delayed, now until next week, and with added difficulties". Argentine Rural Society president Luciano Migunes ratified his colleagues and confirmed the export taxes issue "was not addressed" and the meeting "was abruptly ended", and the proposals which they had taken "had to be left on the table". Therefore "we're calling on all farmers and those who want to join us to a big rally next Sunday in Rosario at the foot of the Monument to the Flag".