On Wednesday, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee passed legislation to expand agriculture trade with Cuba. The measure will move to the full House for consideration.

The measure, H.R. 4645 known as the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, is a bipartisan bill introduced by committee chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota.

The bill is co-sponsored by 62 members of Congress and more than 140 organizations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Farmers Union and American Farm Bureau Federation.

The National Corn Growers Association has urged growers to show their support for the measure by contacting their representative in the House.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service data, Cuba was the 10th largest corn export market during the 2008-2009 season.

The intent of H.R. 4645 is to preserve the compeitiveness of American farmers in the market by eliminating trade provisions such as cash in advance and third party banking provisions.

David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, said relations with Cuba are improving but it's going take a long time before we see substantial trade.

He said the U.S. can take steps toward improving relations with Cuba, such as cultural exchanges, which could eventually lead to a better relationship.

Yepsen said there are a lot of opportunities in Cuba for business and tourism that because of the embargo are being given to Canada and European nations.

"The feeling is there are ample opportunities for Illinois by improving trade with Cuba," Yepsen said. "Illinois farmers can benefit from expanded trade, and anytime you can expand trade we're going to benefit agriculturally."

The Public Policy Institute released recommendations for improving U.S.-Cuban relations after a Feb. 22 conference.

 

The institute recommended the federal government, as well as the Illinois government, take steps to build a positive relationship with Cuba.

The institute also recommended the university community and local citizens can participate in improving relations by exchanging ideas and information in a non-political manner.

Larry Miller, manager of the Franklin County Farm Bureau, said the discussion of opening the Cuban market has been going on for years.

Miller said he was unsure whether or not the trade embargo has been fruitful and believes it is hurting the Cuban people.  

The U.S. trades with other nations opposed to American policies, the U.S. should open trade with Cuba to benefit U.S. and Illinois farmers.

"Anytime you open new markets you are going to improve demand and prices," Miller said.

Julia Wetstein, assistant dean in the College of Science at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, traveled to Cuba with Rotary International to speak with doctors about humanitarian work.

She said as she toured agricultural regions in Cuba, it became apparent how increased trade between the U.S. and Cuban would benefit people on both sides of the relationship.

Wetstein said many Cuban farmers still plow their fields with oxen and struggle with getting accurate information about amending soil, fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides.

She said information Illinois farmers have access to through agencies such as the University of Illinois Extension doesn't exist in Cuba, but with improved relations American farmers could share their knowledge with their Cuban counterparts.

She said expanding trade in Cuba would not only provide a new market for Illinois farmers, but would also provide a market for Illinois manufacturers, such as Caterpillar, who produce farm equipment.