Cuban Trade Bill Introduced
Legislation would open travel and level playing field for U.S. farmers.
Compiled by staff
Published: Feb 24, 2010
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., has introduced legislation to expand U.S. agriculture exports to Cuba. H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, is co-sponsored by 30 other Members of Congress. If made into law, the act would eliminate the need to go through banks in other countries to conduct agricultural trades. The bill would also require agricultural exports to Cuba to meet the same payment requirements as exports to other countries. Presently, payment in advance is required.
U.S. producers are the closest suppliers that can help meet the food and agriculture needs of the Cuban people," Peterson said. "Opportunities to sell to paying customers in Cuba have been hindered by bureaucratic red tape and by arbitrary prohibitions on the ability of U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba. This bill cuts the red tape and allows that trade and travel to happen."
Several farm and commodity organizations support the legislation including the National Farmers Union and National Corn Growers Association.
"Even though U.S. firms offer reliable trading partners, quality products and competitive prices, current U.S. policy hampers their ability to supply the Cuban market and if the United States is not the supplier, the European Union or Brazil will be happy to take our place," said NFU President Roger Johnson. "By allowing U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba, U.S. dollars will be put into the hands of Cuban citizens. This extra money will allow for the purchase of U.S. goods, improving the economy in both Cuba and the United States in the long term."
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Tagged: farm, National Corn Growers Association
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