Argentine farmers protest again

by Amy Judd | October 3, 2008 at 11:46 am

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Farmers in Argentina are again protesting against the government over inadequate support for their businesses.

They are asking for economic concessions for smaller farms, and are prepared to suspend grain exports and limit the export of beef for six days to back up their claims.

The government wants the farmers to call off their protests, as they have already protested earlier this year for four months, that led to major food shortages.

The roadblocks will not be going up again however.

Farm leaders want the government to provide subsidies for small and medium-scale farms, which they say are suffering rising production costs.

They also want economic help for those in the north of the country hit by the worst drought in 100 years.

The country is one of the world's major exporters of beef and grains, especially the lucrative soya crop.

But like much of the world, it is being hit hard by rising fuel costs and falling commodity prices.

Relations between the farm leaders and the government in Buenos Aires are strained.

Agriculture Secretary Carlos Cheppi said that given the current international situation, the strike did nothing to help Argentina.

Farm leader Eduardo Buzzi said the situation in the Argentine countryside was only getting worse.

Many in Argentina are still recovering from the last farmers' protests, and very few have the stomach for another prolonged dispute.