Argentina-Catholic Church and farm dispute.

ARGENTINA-THE CATHOLIC CHURCH GETS INTO FARM DISPUTE.

Argentina’s influential Catholic Church yesterday warned that a year-long conflict between the government of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and the farm sector over export duties has "altered social peace," while opposition and government officials claimed to have received threats in connection with the dispute.

A holiday yesterday to mark 33 years of a coup that ushered in the bloodiest military dictatorship in the country contributed to ease tensions between farmers who are blocking roads and teamsters who support the administration, as farmers were in the fourth of a seven-day grain and cattle sales boycott supported by nearly 100 road protests in several provinces.

Farmers affected by a plunge in international grain prices due to the global economic crisis and a severe drought at home are seeking to force the government to lower export duties, something that the government is refusing to do alleging that farmers reaped windfall benefits.