CUBAN OFFICIALS TO VISIT FARMS, DELTA CENTER

A bipartisan campaign to open markets for American agriculture by ending food and medicine embargoes to Cuba could mean an export bonanza for Missouri farmers.

"Cuba offers a tremendous opportunity for American farmers to sell products to a country that is just 90 miles off our shore," said Missouri Farm Bureau President Charles Kruse.

Kruse was in Cape Girardeau Monday for the annual Missouri Farm Bureau board meeting and will return to the area later this week to accompany two Cuban officials visiting several area farming operations.

Fernando Remirez de Estenoz, who heads the Cuban Mission in Washington, and Cuba's First Secretary Gustavo Machin Gomez, will spend Wednesday and Thursday visiting operations in Dunklin, New Madrid, Scott, Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties.

Area farmers can meet and discuss agriculture trade issues with the Cuban officials, said Kruse, who met with Remirez, Cuba's highest-ranking official in the United States, when Missouri Farm Bureau officials visited the Cuban Mission in Washington earlier this year.

Sen. John Ashcroft, R-Mo., and Rep. JoAnn Emerson, R-Mo., have been staunch supporters of loosening sanctions.

They argue that the end of sanctions could open up significant trading opportunities for the state's farmers, specifically in rice, soy and meat products.

"We've been fighting this battle the past three years," said Emerson. "I think when you look at the possibilities and potential for selling agriculture products to Cuba, it has positive aspects for Missouri farming."

"Emerson and Ashcroft have been leaders in this movement," said Kruse. "Hopefully, Congress will send a bill to the President this year."

Emerson is committed to eliminating the embargo that has existed since 1962.

Cuba was the No. 1 importer of rice before the embargo.

"I think it should be little different than the recent vote granting China PNTR (Permanent Normal Trade Relations)," said Emerson.

Resuming trade with Cuba will help Southeast Missouri farmers, said Kruse.

The World Policy Institute estimates food and medicine exports to Cuba could add $1.6 billion to the U.S. economy. Cuba imported 22 million pounds of pork last year, mostly from Canada and imports about 7.7 billion pounds of rice, primary from Asia.

Kruse said it cost Cuba 30 percent less to buy from the United States because of transportation costs.

The Missouri Farm Bureau will sponsor the Cuban visitors here this week, marking Remirez's first-ever visit to American farms.

This is not the first time Remirez has met with Missourians. In March, more than 100 members of the Missouri Farm Bureau traveled to Washington to meet with him to discuss the possibilities for a Missouri-Cuba trade relationship.

The Southeast Missouri visit will include farms and processing plants as well as the University of Missouri's Delta Research Center in Portageville, Mo.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Wednesday

9 a.m. -- Tour Farmer's Union Cotton Gin, Senath.

11:30 a.m. -- Lunch and Delta Center tour.

1:30 p.m. -- Tour Dreyfuss Riche Mill, New Madrid Port Authority.

3:30 p.m. -- Tour Branum Family Farm, New Madrid.

6:30 p.m. -- Dinner with county farm bureau leaders at Becky Sharp's

Thursday

9:30 a.m. -- Tour row-crop operation of farmer David Herbst, in Scott County, near Chaffee.

11 a.m. -- Tour dairy operation of Carl and Steve Ringwald's Dairy, near Ste. Genevieve.