[Via Communist Internet... http://www.egroups.com/group/Communist-Internet ] . . [US farmers suffering as a result of their own governments embargo of Cuba make their plans... Bill] ----- Original Message ----- From: Walter Lippmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: CubaNews <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2001 5:47 AM Subject: [CubaNews] Farm Bureau backs trade with Cuba Farm Bureau backs trade with Cuba By RICHARD T. ESTRADA MODESTO BEE STAFF WRITER (Published: Monday, July 30, 2001) Cuba's economy is in shambles, but the American Farm Bureau Federation believes the isolated island country could be a future market for U.S. farmers. The farm group is lobbying Congress to repeal several regulations, part of the Cuban Democracy Act, that restrict agriculture's ability to trade with Cuba. "Every market is important to American farmers when commodity prices are as low as they are today," said Audrae Erickson, the bureau's senior director for international trade policy. "We're seeing some of the lowest prices in two decades." Cuba imports $700 million to $1 billion in farm products each year, including wheat from France; rice from Asia; fruits, vegetables and meat from Latin America; and feed grains from Europe. Exports are a major contributor to the health of California agriculture. California was the U.S. export leader in fiscal year 2000, with overseas sales of $7.6 billion, more than a quarter of the state's total ag revenues. The state's biggest export items are almonds, wine, cotton, dairy products and processing tomatoes, primary commodities in the San Joaquin Valley. The bid to boost trade to Cuba has the support of Rep. Gary Condit, D-Ceres, and likely will be backed by many other members of Condit's Blue Dog Coalition in Congress. "Most of the Blue Dog members come from ag regions, and as a rule of thumb, if you're from an agricultural region, you're for opening ag markets," said Christine Robbins, a legislative assistant in Condit's Washington, D.C., office. "Formally, the Blue Dogs haven't come on this issue, but (Condit) is supportive of it." The three clauses the Farm Bureau wants removed -- third-party financing, a prohibition on ships re-entering U.S. ports and travel restrictions to Cuba -- are in an amendment to the agricultural appropriations bill. Cuba has been the subject of U.S. trade sanctions for nearly 40 years, dating back to the communist takeover of the island. Sens. Bryon Dorgan, D-N.D., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., are carrying the amendment. Both represent large grain-producing states that would be among the first to benefit from ag trade with Cuba. The Farm Bureau tried to have the regulations repealed a year ago, but was unsuccessful. "We were forced to swallow a compromise bill so farmers could get improved access to Iran, Libya and Sudan," Erickson said. Agriculture points to significant trade barriers posed by each of the three Cuban clauses: Third-party financing impedes farmers hoping to export crops and livestock to Cuba. It requires exporters to perform their financial transaction -- even if it doesn't involve a credit line -- through a foreign bank. The shipping clause prohibits vessels that go to Cuba from entering U.S. ports for 180 days, making it difficult to use ships to get U.S. ag products into Cuba. Increased tourist travel to Cuba is necessary to generate demand for U.S. ag products to supply the growing hotel industry in that country, as well as bolster Cuba's dormant economy. A trade-friendly approach to Cuba could allow farmers to take advantage of export incentives and food aid credits backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Commerce Department and other government agencies. The Farm Bureau's position is that agricultural products should be exempt from embargoes and sanctions, except during armed conflicts. If an embargo or sanction is enacted, the farm group said, farmers should be compensated by direct payments for any resulting loss. "Cuba used to be a strong trading partner for the American farmer," Erickson said. "We'd like to see a return to that."
