Protests to take place throughout the country on 15th July

There is an increased risk of protests throughout Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires, on 15 July 2008 as agricultural groups recently announced their intention to resume nationwide protests against government proposals to increase export taxes on various agricultural products. On 7 July the Senate began debate on the controversial bill, which would impose a more than 10 percent increase in export taxes. The new export tax was originally implemented by President Fernandez de Kirchner on 11 March and sparked months of protests by major farm groups, which blocked roads nationwide and caused widespread food shortages. The farmers suspended their protest on 22 June after the president invited the leaders of the farmers' groups to talks and promised to defer to the Congress on the issue of new tax measures. Congress approved the tax bill on 5 July, and the Senate is expected to follow suit.