Tractors and large agricultural equipment blocked a key junction outside of the capital Buenes Aires, Argentina to protest against increased export taxes on soybeans.
A truck was also set on fire and soybeans were dumped on the road. In the
central agricultural region of Pampa, similar strikes and protests were
organised. The farmers are protesting against an increase in export taxes on soy
beans and corn.
A leading politician, Alberto Fernández, criticised
these reactions to the government’s decision, calling them “completely
inappropriate” as agriculture within the country has been booming in the last
few years. Farmers have profited from high prices for these
commodiites.
Rodrigo Miro, spokesperson for the farmers’ association, has
called for an extension of the blockades if the government does not enter
negotiations.
Agriculture minister, Javier de Urguiza, has stated , however,
that the government will only commence talks once the strikes have ended.