Argentina: Tax protests grip country

BUENOS AIRES, July 15 (UPI) -- Protests over a proposed increase in farm product export taxes in Argentina reached a fever pitch Tuesday ahead of a crucial vote.

Thousands of demonstrators both in favor of, and opposed to the new tax crammed the streets of the capital ahead of Wednesday's Senate vote, Clarin newspaper reported online.

Farmers contend the tax will caused irreparable damage to the agricultural sector, while proponents of the export tax say it will help fight poverty in the country still recovering from its 2001 economic collapse.

In April, Argentine farmers began protests that blocked roads and crippled the country's farming industry.