Cuban Trade Bill Introduced

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), has introduced legislation to expand U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba, Farm Progress reports. H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, is co-sponsored by 30 other members of Congress.

If made into law, the act would eliminate the need to go through banks in other countries to conduct agricultural trades. The bill also would require agricultural exports to Cuba to meet the same payment requirements as exports to other countries. Presently, payment in advance is required.

“U.S. producers are the closest suppliers that can help meet the food and agricultural needs of the Cuban people,” Peterson said. “Opportunities to sell to paying customers in Cuba have been hindered by bureaucratic red tape and by arbitrary prohibitions on the ability of U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba. This bill cuts the red tape and allows that trade and travel to happen.”