AFBF Applauds Committee Passage of Cuba Trade Bill

Contact: Ryan Findlay, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2025

LANSING, July 8, 2010 - The U.S. House Agriculture Committee's approval last week of the Cuba trade bill will help increase agriculture exports to that island nation and help make U.S. agricultural goods the products of choice in the Cuban marketplace, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

"This vote takes us one step closer to placing American-grown food on the tables of the Cuban people," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "We are hopeful the House will expedite consideration of this bill so we can take advantage of our competitive position in the Cuban market."

H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act sponsored by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), eliminates many restrictions on exports of U.S. agricultural commodities to Cuba, as well as modifies other domestic policies that hinder U.S. exports to the island nation.

"Lifting all travel restrictions will have a direct impact on U.S. agricultural sales," said Stallman. "Increased travel to Cuba will boost food demand in the country, and coupled with other reforms, the U.S. industry will meet increased food needs."

U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba have increased and declined over the years, but have averaged roughly $320 million per year since 2000.

"The major reason for the fluctuations is that the United States is not viewed by Cuba as a reliable supplier because of sales restrictions and the arbitrary actions of the U.S. government to further limit those sales," Stallman said. "With timely Congressional action, we expect this to soon change for the better."

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