NCGA Backs Changes in Cuban Trade Restrictions

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National Corn Growers Association first vice president and a grower from Kulm, North Dakota, Bart Schott, admits - the Cuban embargo works. It works against U.S. farmers and ranchers. Bart says he can’t believe – that is what Congress intended this policy to accomplish. Bart believes a bill offered by Ag Committee chairman Collin Peterson and Jerry Moran, offers good solutions that would eliminate the embargo's impact on the American farmer without getting rid of the embargo altogether.

H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, lifts the requirement known as - cash in advance - that requires a Cuban payment for U.S. agricultural goods prior to those goods leaving port, instead of payment before title changes, which is generally at the point of destination. The bill also changes - third party banking - to allow the Cuban importer to pay a U.S. bank directly, instead of going through a non-U.S. third party bank.

NCGA members and supporters are urged to make their voices heard and encourage their House members to support relaxing agricultural trade restrictions to Cuba. Bart shared these views with members of the House Agriculture Committee last week.