DORGAN EFFORT ELIMINATES KEY BARRIERS TO AGRICULTURAL SALES TO CUBA

Legislation will also end unsuccessful TV Marti program

Friday, July 10, 2009

CONTACT: Justin Kitsch
or  Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a provision by U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) to make it easier for U.S. agriculture producers to export their products to Cuba. Dorgan offered the amendment to the FY 2010 Financial Services Appropriations bill, reversing a Bush Administration policy that placed burdensome restrictions on American producers who hoped to ship farm products to Cuba.

Dorgan originally authored the legislation to open up agricultural trade with Cuba in 2000, which has resulted in over $2.5 billion in goods sold to that country. The Bush Administration changed the policy in 2005 to require cash in advance of shipping the goods rather than cash in advance of delivering the goods, thereby hindering American agricultural producers.

“Our current policy hurts family farmers and restricts their ability to ship their products to the Cuban marketplace. The Castro brothers have never missed a meal because of this policy, but it has hurt our family farmers and ranchers,” said Dorgan. “This amendment returns the policy to the way Congress intended in 2000 -- allowing U.S. agricultural products to be paid for when they are delivered, not before they have left our shores. This change will make it easier for our producers to sell their goods to Cuba, and it makes good economic sense for family farmers in North Dakota and across the country.”

The committee also approved an amendment authored by Senator Dorgan in the FY 2010 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations bill to stop funding for TV Marti, an unsuccessful program that attempts to broadcast programming for Cuban residents. TV Marti, unlike the successful Radio Marti program, has been effectively blocked by the Castro regime.

“This program has not worked for the last twenty years, and resulted in an enormous waste in taxpayer dollars,” said Dorgan. “This funding will be better used to promote democratic and economic freedom in Cuba through some other means.”

The amendments were approved by the full Appropriations Committee. The appropriations bills next go to the Senate floor for consideration.

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