Farm bureau president: Trade with Cuba would be no easy task

Farm bureau president: Trade with Cuba would be no easy task
By TIM LANDIS (tim.landis@sj-r.com)
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Posted May 09, 2009 @ 01:12 AM

Even if human-rights issues were settled and trade barriers taken down,
buying and selling in Cuba is not a simple matter of transportation,
says Illinois Farm Bureau president Phil Nelson.

"They are still using farm practices from the 1950s. It's very
primitive, and there's not a lot of technology, even though it's 90
miles from our shores," Nelson said.

The farm bureau has been among the leading advocates of easing trade
restrictions with Cuba, including participating in a March trade mission.

Nelson, who was briefed on the March trip, said health and safety are
chief concerns as a result of agricultural practices in Cuba, especially
for livestock that eventually could be shipped to the United States.

"They have some tremendous health issues with their animals and
livestock. If we truly open up exports, we don't want to injure our
livestock by bringing in diseases," said Nelson, who added that it would
take time to set up a U.S.-style health and inspections system in Cuba.

Money is the next major challenge, Nelson said. Cuba doesn't have much cash.

"Credit is a big thing in Cuba. They just don't turn cash over, and
they'd like to see that credit extended," said Nelson, noting that while
some short-term loans are allowed, long-term credit is the key to
opening Cuba to U.S. products.

The Bush administration imposed cash-only payments for U.S. products,
and there are no immediate plans to lift the requirement, even as the
administration of President Obama eases restrictions on travel.

Nelson said farm groups are trying to organize another trip to Cuba in
early 2010, adding that events appear to be moving toward the easing of
the nearly 50-year-old sanctions.

"It's a relationship that needs to be cultivated," he said.

Tim Landis can be reached at 788-1536.

U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba in 2008

*Corn: $196 million

*Poultry meat: $136 million

*Wheat, wheat products: $135 million

*Soybeans, soy products: $133 million

*Rice: $6.9 million

Total: $691 million

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service

Farm bureau president: Trade with Cuba would be no easy task -
Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register (9 May 2009)

http://www.sj-r.com/business/x362990112/Farm-bureau-president-Trade-with-Cuba-would-be-no-easy-task