Cuba bill would increase U.S. ag trade

Monday, March 22, 2010
Cuba bill would increase U.S. ag trade

WASHINGTON -- Two U.S. grain organizations have endorsed legislation
which would expand one-way trade and lift current travel restrictions
with Cuba.

The National Corn Growers Association and the American Soybean
Association have announced support of H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction
Reform and Export Enhancement Act, which was introduced by U.S. House of
Representatives Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson
(D-Minn.). Reps. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Jo Ann
Emerson (R-Mo.) are also sponsoring the bill.

"This legislation will increase one-way agricultural trade from the U.S.
to Cuba," said NCGA First Vice President Bart Schott, a grower from
Kulm, N.D. "We currently export food to Cuba and these changes will
level the playing field for American farmers. It is important to note,
though, that it does not eliminate the embargo itself."

"ASA opposes restrictions on exports of U.S. agricultural commodities
for national security or foreign policy reasons that are not supported
by all other major world producers and exporters," said ASA President
Rob Joslin, a soybean producer from Sidney, Ohio. "ASA favors a normal
trading relationship with Cuba including direct banking and elimination
of the cash in advance rule. ASA also supports the country's eligibility
for the Foreign Market Development and Market Access Programs."

NCGA said the bill provides an opportunity not only to preserve current
U.S. sales of corn to Cuba, but also to increase demand for distillers
dried grains and other corn value-added products such as poultry.
According to the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, Cuba was the 10th
largest export market for U.S. corn during the 2008-2009 marketing year.

In 2008, there were more than $134 million worth of soy products
exported to Cuba. ASA noted that if current policies that require third
country banks, cash advance payments and limits on travel were lifted,
these exports would be expected to increase.

The proposed legislation would eliminate both the need to go through
banks in other countries to conduct agricultural trades and the
accompanying fees those banks charge. The bill would also require
agricultural exports to Cuba to meet the same payment requirements as
exports to other countries, which means payment would be required when
the title of the shipment changes hands, not in advance. Finally, the
bill would allow U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba, reducing the
bureaucratic red tape currently required for individuals to travel to
Cuba to facilitate new agriculture sales.

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