NFU: Trade with Cuba makes sense

NFU: Trade with Cuba makes sense
By PorkNetwork news source | Updated: September 18, 2011

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the
following statement after the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee
passed an amendment to allow direct cash transfers between U.S. and
Cuban financial institutions by a vote of 20 to 10:

"NFU is encouraged that the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the
amendment that would allow U.S. and Cuban financial institutions to
directly transfer payments to each other. Currently those payments must
be routed through a financial institution in another country, leading to
additional fees and complications.

"NFU has long been a supporter of trade with Cuba. These self-imposed
restrictions hurt our own domestic producers and make U.S. trade less
competitive. The U.S. has exported $4 billion of agriculture goods to
Cuba since 2000, and that number will grow with the elimination of this
unnecessary trade barrier.

"At a time of high unemployment and stagnant economic growth, allowing
direct cash transfers between the U.S. and Cuba provides a unique
opportunity to create jobs and stimulate economic development in rural
America. U.S. farmers and ranchers should be able to do business with
customers in the United States' backyard. It just makes sense. I
encourage the full Senate to pass this amendment in its current form as
quickly as possible."

Source: National Farmers Union

http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-resources/business-management/NFU-Trade-with-Cuba-makes-sense-129982883.html