MGPA Applauds Kratovil Vote on Cuba Trade and Travel Bill

MGPA applauded the House Agriculture Committee's passage of a bill that would significantly ease agricultural trade and travel restrictions with Cuba. Congressman Frank Kratovil voted for the measure to support Maryland agriculture in spite of his concerns over the travel restrictions in the legislation.

H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, was introduced earlier in the year by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Congressman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). If signed into law, it would clarify how U.S. farmers and agricultural businesses conduct sales to Cuba and remove long-standing travel restrictions, which together have significantly constrained grain market share there.

Cuba is the largest importer of wheat and wheat products in the Caribbean, with 11.4 million mouths to feed and no domestic wheat production. Still, because of U.S.-mandated payment and travel restrictions, American wheat made up less than 25 percent of Cuban wheat imports last year, versus more than 80 percent in other Caribbean nations. 

“Being on the eastern seaboard Maryland agriculture has a great opportunity to benefit from opened trade with expanded grain, poultry and other ag exports”, said Chip Bowling, President of Maryland Grain Producers Association, “Congressman Kratovil’s vote was very important in the 25:20 vote to get the bill out of committee.”

For Maryland farmers, the House Agriculture Committee’s approval of H.R. 4645 is another successful step toward remedying the challenges that have long hindered trade in what would otherwise be a logical market.

“I know Congressman Kratovil had concerns about lifting the travel restrictions to Cuba”, said Lynne Hoot, Executive Director, Maryland Grain Producers Association, “so his vote for HR 4645 was especially welcomed.  The relaxing of travel restrictions to Cuba is an important part of the legislation as it will allow Maryland businesses to promote agricultural products to the Cuban market”

H.R. 4645, which now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives. Companion legislation has also been introduced for consideration in the Senate.