WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today announced that she will travel to Cuba for discussions about how to expand U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba.  Cuba is the 14th-largest export market for U.S. rice and had risen to the top 25 among U.S. export markets for agriculture before the federal government promulgated a restrictive standard regarding payment rules in 2005.

 

“Not only is Cuba a significant market for U.S. produce, it is a major buyer of agriculture from Southern Missouri.  Agriculture is a rare bright spot in the dire survey of the burgeoning U.S. trade deficit.  The policy of making these export transactions difficult for American farmers by the U.S. government is a wrongheaded idea that punishes U.S. farmers, but not the Cuban government.  This conversation is essential to protecting a valuable American export market,” Emerson said.

 

The country has recently undergone an historic transfer of power from Fidel Castro to his brother, Raul. Emerson will travel to Cuba between the dates of Friday, December 15 and Sunday, December 17, 2006.