Argentina-Farmers and Government.

ARGENTINA-FARMERS AND GOVERNMENT DEADLOCKED.

As talks with the government failed to end a bitter dispute over a grains export tax Tuesday, the leaders of Argentina ’s four top farm groups called on Argentines to mobilize in protest and for the Congress to reform the tax system. Speaking at a press conference hours after talks with Production Minister Debora Giorgi and Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo ended without solution, Argentine Agrarian Federation president Eduardo Buzzi said he and the leaders of the three other main farm groups would call on lawmakers to design "a new instrument to replace the discretional instrument" of export duties. The taxes - especially a 35% duty on soy exports - have become a key bone of contention for farmers, who have also this year been struck by the most severe drought in decades and by a plunge in world crop prices.