Dairy Groups Support the Cuba Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act
March 2, 2010
Dairy Groups Support the Cuba Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act
NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) applauded an introduction of a House bill last week that would allow for open travel for all Americans to Cuba and further facilitate U.S. agricultural exports to that nation.
The Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act (H.R. 4645) was offered by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, and is currently co-sponsored by 33 other Members of Congress, including Representatives Jerry Moran of Kansas, Rosa L. DeLauro of Connecticut, and Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri.
Notably, the bill would establish clarity and predictability regarding the “cash-in-advance” provision of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSREEA) by ensuring its interpretation according to the original intent of Congress to allow for payment in a manner that did not impede trade, while also not offering the extension of credit to Cuba. Prior interpretations of this provision have hampered U.S. dairy exporters’ ability to ship product to Cuba in a safe and cost-efficient manner.
The legislation would also remove a costly and unnecessary burden on U.S. agricultural exporters by allowing payment to pass from Cuba directly to U.S. banks in place of the current, more costly, requirement that payments be routed through banks in other countries.
The other critical element that H.R. 4645 would tackle is to abolish restrictions on Americans’ rights to travel to Cuba. This would facilitate U.S. exporters’ ability to conduct business with Cuba, spurring greater demand for U.S. agricultural products.
NMPF is testifying at a hearing on this bill on March 11. John Wilson of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) will be testifying on NMPF’s behalf in support of this legislation.
