News
Expanding trade and travel to Cuba
For 50 years the United States has had a policy limiting trade and travel to Cuba. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, April 7, John Block, former Secretary of Agriculture during the Reagan Administration said the current policy just doesn’t make sense.
“It’s time just to take a new look,” said Block. “Turn the page, let’s get on with the future, it will be good for everybody.”
Audio: John Block, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (2:10 MP3)
And an economic impact study bears that out. Parr Rosson, agricultural economist at Texas A&M University conducted the study for the House Agriculture Committee looking at what the economic impact would be should trade and travel policy be changed.
“What we found was that we would expect our exports to increase by about $365 million a year, and that’s from a base in 2009 of about $528 million,” said the ag economist. “In addition to those exports, they would also create additional economic activity of about $1.1 billion a year and about 6,000 new jobs.”
Audio: Parr Rosson, Agricultural Economist,Texas A&M (2:25 MP3)
While much of that growth would take place in the agricultural sector, Rosson points out that non-agricultural sectors such as business and financial services, real estate, wholesale and retail trade, health care would also benefit from expanded trade and travel to the island nation.
H.R. 4645 sponsored by House Ag Committee Chairman Colin Peterson of Minnesota and co-sponsored by 40 other representatives would remove trade and travel restrictions.
Audio: Rep. Marion Berry, D-Arkansas (2:20 MP3)
Audio: Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Missouri (4:05 MP3)
Audio: Roger Johnson, President, National Farmers Union (2:10 MP3)
Why not open up to Cuba, It has been far too long now,besides they have the best cigars! 😀