(NAFB) – In testimony before the House Agriculture Committee, the President of the American Farm Bureau Federation called on Congressional members to support the Travel Reform and Export Enhancement Act, or H.R. 4645. Bob Stallman said this act would lift some key U.S.- imposed restrictions on trade with Cuba. The bill would reverse the restrictions on payment of cash in advance, eliminate the third country bank requirement and lift the ban on travel.Because of the great market potential, Farm Bureau believes passage of the legislation would make agriculture a strong player in the Cuban market and increase U.S. agricultural exports. Stallman said – we have seen the promise the market holds. Unfortunately, because of restrictions on U.S exports to Cuba, U.S. farmers have not been able to benefit from the full potential of the market.
Since being allowed to trade with Cuba in 2000, on average the United States has exported roughly 320-million dollars in agricultural products per year, reaching a high of almost 700-million in 2008. Stallman pointed out – the United States is not viewed by Cuba as a reliable supplier. Our competitors do not have the same obstacles in trading with Cuba we face. Stallman said, – eliminating these restrictions will decrease the advantages the United States has given our competitors and restore the advantage to U.S. farmers.
