AFBF Voices Support for Cuba Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 16, 2007 – The American Farm Bureau Federation today said it supports new legislation in Congress that promotes agriculture sales to Cuba, while removing burdensome restrictions impeding trade to that country. H.R. 1026, sponsored by Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), would allow U.S. agriculture to continue selling goods to Cuba with the potential for a significantly increased share of the market, according to AFBF.

The legislation contains four main provisions supported by AFBF, including:

• Allowing individuals making agricultural sales with Cuba to travel on a general license;
• Issuing visas to Cuban inspectors to enter the U.S. to inspect processing facilities;
• Clarifying payments of cash in advance; and
• Allowing direct wire transfers from Cuba financial institutions to those in the U.S.

“There are considerable restrictions placed on U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba which impede our marketing efforts and sales to that country,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “This legislation would remove those costly barriers.”

U.S. agriculture sales to Cuba have totaled $1.4 billion since 2000.  Last year alone agricultural sales totaled $350 million, up from the previous year.

“AFBF will continue its work with Congress to pass legislation to eliminate these costly restrictions on agricultural sales to Cuba,” said Stallman. “Such restrictions adversely affect markets and are an inappropriate tool for the implementation of foreign policy.”

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Contact:          Tracy Taylor Grondine                      Mace Thornton

                       (202) 406-3642                                  (202) 406-3641

                        tracyg@fb.org                                   macet@fb.org