MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine farmers extend grain export ban until Friday

Argentine farmers decided on Wednesday to extend the ban on grains and oil seeds exports until next Saturday disappointed with a farm bill sent for Congressional consideration and direct allegations to farm leaders from President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Earlier in the afternoon during a massive rally in Buenos Aires at the emblematic Plaza de Mayo, Mrs. Kirchner addressed thousands of supporters gathered to counter anti government protests fueled by the bitter one hundred days stand off with farmers who are demanding amendments to a sliding export taxes on grains and oil seeds. "In the name of democracy, free up the highways, let Argentines get back to work" Mrs. Kirchner yelled to supporters. The government press office said 100,000 people attended the rally. Pro government unions forced the closure of banks and other businesses and the cancellation of flights so workers could go to the rally. "The liaison committee (of the four farmers' organizations) has decided to continue the ban on grains and oilseeds trade until Friday 24:00 hours. This excludes milk, dairy products, beef or general cargo not related to the conflict", said Eduardo Buzzi who acted as spokesperson. The original conflict over export taxes dating back to March has erupted into a full fledged political crisis for the administration of Mrs. Kirchner. Selective road blocks from farmers have closed down Argentina's grain and oilseed exports, have helped cause food shortages while a grains' truckers protest, (furious because they have been out of work for months), at times with complete blockades, have slowed the distribution of already scarce fuel. This has also had an impact on long distance passenger transport and the domestic tourist industry. President Fernandez de Kirchner said she proposed the tax to share soaring farming windfall profits with Argentina's 10 million poor and accused farmers of weakening Argentina's democracy. "Farm leaders wield too much political power even though no one voted for them in national elections. Yet they are deciding who can cross picket lines, causing food and fuel shortages", she remarked. The president's speech came a day after she announced she was sending a bill to Argentina's two houses of Congress to debate the controversial taxes, which she first implemented by presidential decree on March 11. The Justicialista ruling party has a majority in both houses. Congressional debate has been one of the farmers' key demands, but they were still skeptical. "We want to see if there is a real debate and not just a rubber-stamp approval" Mario Llambias, leader of the Argentina Rural Confederation was quoted Wednesday in the daily newspaper La Nacion. "We want to point out that we value the democratic gesture from the president of sending the tax bill to Congress, but we must also point out we disagree with the text of the bill as it was drafted and sent. We request an open debate and modification in Congress", said Buzzi. Regarding Mrs. Kirchner's claims that farm leaders are not acting "democratically" Buzzi said "we're not interested in more aggressions; we're not in the destabilization business or coup mongers". He added that "we were voted in by our organizations" and we are not involved in causing scarcities. We're not cutting the highways". Argentina is the third-biggest exporter of soy beans and corn and the biggest exporter of soy oils and soy meal, which is used for animal feed. The country is also a leading exporter of other grains, mainly wheat, and beef.