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NFU applauds Presidential Directive on Cuba

The National Farmers Union (NFU) supports President Obama’s latest attempt to normalize trade with Cuba.

NFU government relations director Barbara Patterson says the Presidential Policy Directive on Cuba represents a major step forward in improving trade relations.

“There’s been a bit of a shift in public opinion and we hope that continues to occur.  There’s been quite a bit of legislative activity, at least in terms of bills being introduced in the last couple of years.  And we hope that this conversation can continue on and we can get the embargo ended altogether.”

She tells Brownfield the directive would allow agricultural items like pesticides and tractors to be exported to Cuba, and agriculture is a great platform to generate bipartisan support.

“There are good networks across the aisles when it comes to agriculture, so I think that’s in part why you see a lot of the discussion portrayed with Cuba and increasing trade relations centering around agriculture.”

House Speaker Paul Ryan doubled down on the embargo in response to the President’s proposal.

NFU says the directive would lift the six-month waiting period for foreign ships to return to the U.S. after visiting Cuba, removing costly barriers for ag exporters.