Exporting to Cuba May Become Easier

Exporting to Cuba May Become Easier
2009-12-12 03:57:09

The U.S. Senate is set to approve a provision by Senator Byron Dorgan
(D-N.D.) to make it easier for U.S. agriculture producers to export
their products to Cuba. Dorgan included the provision in the FY 2010
Omnibus Appropriations bill that will be approved by the Senate over the
weekend.

Dorgan's amendment suspends a Bush Administration policy that placed
burdensome restrictions on American producers who hoped to ship farm
products to Cuba.

"Our current policy hurts family farmers and restricts their ability to
ship their products to the Cuban marketplace," said Dorgan. "My
provision returns the policy to the way Congress intended in 2000 --
allowing U.S. agricultural products to be paid for when they are
delivered, not before they have left our shores."

Dorgan was the original author of legislation to open up agricultural
trade with Cuba in 2000, which has resulted in over $2.5 billion in
goods sold to that country. The Bush Administration changed the policy
in 2005 to require cash in advance of shipping the goods rather than
cash in advance of delivering the goods, thereby hindering American
agricultural producers.

"At long last, we will bring some common-sense to the issue, and make it
easier for American farmers to sell their goods in Cuba. This makes good
economic sense for family farmers in North Dakota and across the
country," added Dorgan.

The Omnibus Appropriations bill has already been passed in the House.
Once the Senate approves the legislation over the weekend, it will then
go to the President to be signed into law.

KFGO Regional News (12 December 2009)
http://www.kfgo.com/regionalnews_Detail.php?ID=10715