Posted January 12, 2015
Many U.S. farm groups, including Cargill, CoBank, and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) have launched the U.S. Agriculture for Coalition for Cuba (USACC), according to an Agriculture article available here. Agri-Pulse also published an article available hereand World Poultry here, and AFBF published a statement available here.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and members of Congress supported nearly thirty organizations to liberalize trade and travel to Cuba.
“Cuba imports about 80 percent of its food,” said Vilsack. “Which means there is significant economic potential for our producers. It’s a $1.7 billion market. Our rice growers, our wheat growers, our corn growers, our soy growers, poultry and beef producers, all have opportunities in this new day,” according to Agri-Pulse.
Under current sanctions, U.S. food and agriculture companies can legally export to Cuba, but restrictions put shippers at a competitive disadvantage, while Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Vietnam are able to take over the market.
Farm Bureau said the coalition would work together with Congress and the President Obama to normalize trade relations between the two nations enabling American businesses access to Cuban markets that are available to other countries, according to AFBF statement.
“Easing financing restrictions on agricultural trade with Cuba will make U.S. farmers and ranchers more competitive in the Cuban market of 11 million consumers,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman.
USACC Members: American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, Corn Refiners Association, Illinois Cuba Working Group, Illinois Soybean Growers, Illinois Farm Bureau, International Dairy Foods Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Chicken Council, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Grain and Feed Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Sorghum Producers, National Turkey Federation, North American Export Grain Association, North American Meat Institute, Soyfoods Association of North America, US Canola Association, US Dairy Export Council, US Dry Bean Council, US Soybean Export Council, US Wheat Associates, USA Rice Federation, Smithfield Foods, Chicago Foods International, Cargill, and CoBank, according to World Poultry.
For more information on international law and organizations, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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