07/06/05 House committee fights Cuba trade ban

The House Appropriations Committee thinks that a Bush administration rule that has hurt agricultural trade with Cuba. That's why it voted to withhold money that would pay for enforcement of a new trade regulation. American Farm Bureau trade specialist Chris Garza says it's a small but positive step in opening up the Cuban market to US producers. GARZA "USDA has stated that our sales have been down about 26 percent this year versus over last year. These sales have come in the form of lost rice sales, lost soybean sales, lost corn sales, lost dairy sales It's very important that we get that market back opened up. Garza says the regulations completely change the way we trade with Cuba while placing additional restrictions and red tape in the way of trade. He doesn't see the Cuban government living up to the new regulations, nor will shippers of agricultural products. GARZA "They like using our product but unfortunately because of the rules that have been set up by the administration it has shut off or slowed down our sales." Congressman Butch Otter and Senator Larry Craig have made trips to Cuba in the past talking with Cuban government officials about the possibility of Idaho ag products being exported to the island nation. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott