Argentine farmers urged to remain 'calm,'

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNN) - The head of an Argentine farming group is urging farmers to remain "calm," and "alert," following President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's announcement Monday that the country's controversial soy export tax will fund a public works program.

"We call on farmers across the country to stay calm, but to stay on the alert," said Eduardo Buzzi, president of the Argentine Agrarian Federation (FAA), the organization reported on its Web site Tuesday.

Buzzi said the organization's directory board will meet Friday to discuss what steps to take in response to the president's announcement.

The 44 percent export tax - which applies to soybeans, wheat, corn and sunflower seeds - is the cause of a three-month-old standoff between the government and farmers.