WASHINGTON: Rep. William L. Owens said Wednesday he is "fully supportive" of expanding trade with Cuba, and he backed legislation in the House Agriculture Committee to do so.

"It makes a great deal of sense for our agriculture community," Mr. Owens said as the committee prepared to pass the legislation.

And he said he supports expanded travel between the United States and Cuba,although that issue will be handled by a different committee before reaching the House floor.

The United States already allows people to travel to China, another Communist country, and other places, he said.

The bill passed the committee 25-20.

Mr. Owens said conservatives tend to oppose normalizing relations while liberals are more open to a softer stand and that a final vote in Congress will be quite close.

Although the legislation contains language on lifting travel restrictions, Mr.Owens said that technically the Agriculture Committee only approved the area under its jurisdiction, export of U.S. farm goods.

Mr. Owens cited New York apple growers' desire to gain more access to the Cuban market, among other agricultural concerns.