August 4, 2000

House compromises
on Cuban trade sanctions

The compromise deal spearheaded by Reps. George Nethercutt (R-WA) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) to lift trade sanctions against Cuba, Libya, Iran, Sudan and North Korea offers American producers a fair shot at markets worth a potential $6 billion in agricultural sales.

Texas farmers and ranchers are particularly pleased, according to the president of the Texas Farm Bureau, because the compromise would allow food and medicine sales to Cuba for the first time in 40 years.

“This is a red-letter day for agriculture. Texas farmers and ranchers are excited about the real possibilities of trading with Cuba,” TFB President Donald Patman said. “We have the supply of agricultural commodities that can be shipped to Cuba to help the people of that country improve their standard of living.”

Patman and U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, led the TFB Board of Directors on a fact-finding mission to Cuba in April to meet with agricultural, financial, port and trade officials.

The agreement calls for no private or government financing from the United States to be allowed on food sales. Patman said food and medicine should never be used as a weapon of reprisal.

“We certainly encourage both the U.S. House and Senate to pass legislation very soon to lift the embargo. The removal of sanctions on Cuba could result in $1 billion of additional agricultural trade to the United States,” Patman emphasized.

If and when unilateral sanctions are lifted, “Texas farmers and ranchers are ready to sell Cubans various commodities such as wheat, beef, poultry, dairy products and rice, the staple of Cubans’ diet,” he continued.

The House passed two related amendments to the Treasury-Postal Appropriations Act relating to Cuban sanctions on July 21.

By a 301-116 vote, the House approved a measure that would prohibit the use of funds to enforce unilateral agricultural or medical sanctions in Cuba. The House also passed an amendment to prohibit the use of funds to enforce travel bans to the island nation.

The amendments don’t change the underlying sanctions policy, but they do prohibit the expenditure of funds to enforce the law.

An American Farm Bureau Federation spokesperson said the passage of the amendment to prohibit the use of funds to enforce agricultural sales to Cuba is a clear expression by the House of its desire to end food and medicine sanctions.