- Title: ARGENTINA: Argentine farmers lift strike
- Date: 29th March 2008
- Summary: MARIO LLAMBIAS, PRESIDENT OF RURAL CONFEDERACION RURAL WITH JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MARIO LLAMBIAS, PRESIDENT OF RURAL CONFEDERATION, SAYING: "This meeting had a primary purpose to respond to the president of the nation's invitation. I think it's what we should have done, above all, thinking about national peace. The issues that marked the beginning of this pro
- Embargoed: 13th April 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Argentina
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA9P01REY4YLUSS1RTFFHYAEW4N
- Story Text: Argentine farmers call off a 16-day strike against higher taxes on grain exports. The farmers say they will begin talks with the government.
Argentine farmers met with government officials on Friday (March 28) after calling off their 16-day strike against higher taxes on grains exports, opening the door for talks with the government.
Chief of staff Alberto Fernandez said the government remained committed to talking with the farmers.
"The government's firm decision that no Argentine economic unit from the farm lack profitability and besides, the national government's full commitment to work hard so that the small farmer has his share of profit," he said.
Farmers and ranchers are demanding that the government repeal a new sliding-scale tax regime for grains exports, which hikes soy levies at current prices.
They also want more help for small producers and less intervention from the center-left government, which has used export bans and price controls to fight food inflation and increase state revenue.
Late on Thursday, President Cristina Fernandez called on farmers to end their "extortion" in a speech late on Thursday but also promised dialogue once the protest is called off.
But President of Rural Confederation Mario Llambias was not very optimistic about the talks:
"This meeting had a primary purpose to respond to the president of the nation's invitation," he said. "I think it's what we should have done, above all, thinking about national peace. The issues that marked the beginning of this protest, obviously, haven't been modified. They've told us that they won't modify them and that concerns us greatly."
Traffic at roadblocks in the agricultural heartland began flowing freely as protesters acquiesced with the announcement of the agricultural unions.
Protesters had stopped trucks carrying meat, dairy and produce to the capital Buenos Aires, clearing butcher shops.
The strike also halted soy trade to major partners such as China and Europe and sparked three nights of pot-banging protests by city residents for the first time since a 2001-02 political and economic crisis.
But farmer Alfredo de Angelis said they will meet Saturday (March 29) morning to decide whether or not they will resume the strike.
"Cars, buses and ambulances get by," he said, referring to the roadblocks. "Heavy transportation doesn't. Tomorrow at 9-30, we will have a meeting and we will decide how to continue."
Argentina is one of the world's biggest suppliers of corn, soy, wheat and beef. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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