Argentina-Farmers dispute finds new life.

ARGENTINA.

FARMERS URGE SCRAPPING OF EXPORT TAXES.

Accusing the government of President Christina Fernando de Kirchner, of taking revenge against them, farm leaders on Wednesday demanded the full elimination of export taxes of 35% on Soy, 25% on wheat and corn and 15% on beef.

The farm leaders have warned of further industrial action, similar to that of March 2008, which brought the country to its knees, if their demands are not met.

The announcement was made at a press conference by the countries four largest farm groups the FAA,CRA,SRA and Coninagro.

CRA Chairman Mario Llambias, said they would continue with the campaign to raise awareness, talking to the state governors and making presentations before Congress

Talking off the record to the Buenos Aires Herald, some leaders said that they don’t expect a Peronist government to satisfy the needs of the farmers, and that they are implementing a gradual strategy not to play into the hands of the ruling couple referring to the president and her husband, that have accused the farm leaders of coup mongering.

In a statement read by the first Vice President of the FAA Pablo Orsolini, a socialist farm leader from the state of Chaco, the farmers liaison board said "In the face of the extent of the crisis, the liaison board is demanding the full elimination of export duties…It is fundamental that the government understand that failing to listen to the farm sector and throwing it, out of revenge into one of the worse crisis, also means condemning the entire nation.

SRA Vice President Alejandro Delfino, said "For the first in history the farm sector is in no condition to help the country brave an economic crisis".

In March of last year, when the grain market was booming at all time record prices, the government attempted to raise the current soy export tax from 35% to 42.5%.

The dispute that followed lasted until the 17 July, when the proposals were not accepted by Congress and this was rejected, because of the casting vote of the vice president who voted with the farmers against his own government.

There have been various proposals and counter proposals over the last few weeks, however nothing is set down for discussion until February, when the summer holidays are over.