Dear ASA Members & Supporters:

Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson will be introducing legislation with Rep. Jerry Moran (KS), Agriculture Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT), and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO) to expand agricultural trade to Cuba.

The American Soybean Association (ASA) has been a supporter of eliminating the Cuban sanctions. In 2008, there were more than $134 million worth of soy products exported to Cuba. If current policies that require third country banks, cash advance payments and limits on travel were lifted, these exports would be expected to increase.

Cuba relies on imports for most of its food needs and, between 2000 and 2006, Cuba’s food and agricultural imports nearly doubled. Agricultural producers in the United States are well positioned to benefit from additional trade in Cuba – U.S. suppliers can reach the three major Cuban ports in a matter of one day or less, compared to 25 days from Brazil. However, even though U.S. firms offer reliable trading partners, quality products, and competitive prices, current U.S. policy hampers their ability to supply the Cuban market. If the United States is not the supplier, the European Union or Brazil will be happy to take our place.

The Peterson/Moran legislation would do the following:

Eliminate the need to go through banks in other countries to conduct agricultural trades, along with the accompanying fees those banks charge. (Direct PAYMENT provision).
Require agricultural exports to Cuba to meet the same payment requirements as exports to other countries by requiring payment when the title of the shipment changes hands. (Payment in advance provision).
Allow US citizens to travel to Cuba, reducing the bureaucratic red tape currently required for agricultural associations, agribusinesses, and others to make agricultural sales in the country and creating increased demand for agricultural exports to feed the increased number of American visitors.
Put simply, passage of this legislation will mean millions of dollars in additional agricultural exports for the United States.

Please contact your Member of Congress and urge them to contact Mr. Peterson or Mr. Moran to sign on as original cosponsors of this important legislation. 

Find Contact Information for Members of Congress at http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.