NCGA, Farm Bureau, NFU support Cuba liberalization
January 21, 2015 |06:50 PM
The National Corn Growers Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union all issued statements in favor of President Barack Obama’s notice in the State of the Union message that the United States will pursue normal diplomatic relations with Cuba.
NCGA President Chip Bowling, who also noted the group’s support for trade promotion authority, said “Couple TPA with normalized relations with Cuba, and farmers and consumers — both here and abroad — will benefit.”
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said, “We strongly support President Obama’s efforts to normalize trade and other relations with Cuba.”
“Cuba remains off-limits to almost all American trade — a self-imposed tactic that has repeatedly failed to secure reforms,” Stallman said.
“American agriculture needs the same access to Cuban markets that so many other countries have. Easing trade financing restrictions is a strong beginning to U.S. food and fiber being accessible to Cuba’s 11 million consumers. It’s also something most Americans know is right.”
The National Farmers Union, the only major farm group to oppose TPA, praised the administration’s move to reopen relations with Cuba, noting that it had been a major goal of NFU for years.
“The trade embargo has failed for decades to bring about meaningful change in Cuba,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Lifting the embargo not only opens new markets for U.S. agriculture products but also gives new hope of economic prosperity to the good people of Cuba.”
NCGA President Chip Bowling, who also noted the group’s support for trade promotion authority, said “Couple TPA with normalized relations with Cuba, and farmers and consumers — both here and abroad — will benefit.”
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said, “We strongly support President Obama’s efforts to normalize trade and other relations with Cuba.”
“Cuba remains off-limits to almost all American trade — a self-imposed tactic that has repeatedly failed to secure reforms,” Stallman said.
“American agriculture needs the same access to Cuban markets that so many other countries have. Easing trade financing restrictions is a strong beginning to U.S. food and fiber being accessible to Cuba’s 11 million consumers. It’s also something most Americans know is right.”
The National Farmers Union, the only major farm group to oppose TPA, praised the administration’s move to reopen relations with Cuba, noting that it had been a major goal of NFU for years.
“The trade embargo has failed for decades to bring about meaningful change in Cuba,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Lifting the embargo not only opens new markets for U.S. agriculture products but also gives new hope of economic prosperity to the good people of Cuba.”
