Grainnet

Washington—National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson testified March 11 before the House Committee on Agriculture concerning a review of U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba.

In his testimony, Johnson expressed NFU’s support of the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act (H.R. 4645), the bi-partisan legislation sponsored by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and co-sponsored by 30 other Members of Congress, including Representatives Jerry Moran of Kansas, Rosa L. DeLauro of Connecticut, and Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri.

“I have personally led eight trade-related missions to Cuba,” said Johnson.

“I can speak from firsthand experience on the importance of ending the Cuban embargo and establishing trade relations with Cuba in an effort to better the U.S. agriculture market.”

NFU supports the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act and commends Chairman Peterson’s leadership on this bill.

The legislation contains a provision to eliminate the expensive and discriminatory requirement that payments to U.S. agricultural sellers must pass through banks in other countries.

This bill would allow direct financial transactions for agricultural sales to Cuba; require agricultural exports to Cuba to meet the same payment requirements as exports to other countries; and allow U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba.

“Even though U.S. firms offer reliable trading partners, quality products and competitive prices, current U.S. policy hampers their ability to supply the Cuban market – if the United States is not the supplier, the European Union or Brazil will be happy to take our place,” said Johnson.

This legislation allows U.S. farmers to increase their export sales, increasing agricultural markets is vital in the current economic environment.

Permitting travel to Cuba would help increase the amount of trade production for America’s family farmers.

“By allowing U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba, U.S. dollars will be put into the hands of Cuban citizens,” said Johnson.

“This extra money will allow for the purchase of U.S. goods, improving the economy in both Cuba and the United States in the long term.”

NFU signed a coalition letter Jan. 29, 2010, alongside 30 farm organizations in support of this legislation and will continue working with Members of Congress to emphasize the importance of agricultural trade with Cuba to U.S. farmers and ranchers.

“Agricultural producers in the United States are well positioned to benefit from additional trade in Cuba,” said Johnson.

“This will also assure Cubans a source for sustainable, high-quality food for its people.”

For more information, call 202-554-1600.

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