The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) joined other food and agricultural organizations in support of additional changes in U.S. policy to facilitate U.S. dairy exports to Cuba and permit open travel for all Americans to that nation. The dairy organizations are members of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, a coalition of more than 30 trade associations and companies championing an end to the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

The dairy groups say one of the biggest impediments to trade is the lack of financing to allow for payment in a manner that it is commercially viable. They stressed the importance of policy changes that would remove costly and unnecessary burdens on U.S. agricultural exporters by allowing payment to pass from Cuba directly to U.S. banks in place of the current requirement that payments be routed through banks in other countries.

Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF, urged members of Congress to seek changes in policy that would remove travel restrictions and reform financing rules for U.S. food products destined for Cuba. “NMPF believes that unilateral U.S. government actions should not hinder U.S. dairy exporters from selling their products to any nation,” said Mulhern. “We look forward to expanding our ability to more easily provide the Cuban people and those Americans wishing to travel to Cuba with the nutritious and safe foods that we produce in such abundance here in the United States.”

“Right now, the U.S. has been forced to largely cede this neighboring market to our competitors,” added Tom Suber, president of USDEC. “Cuba has been importing approximately $200 million worth of dairy products in recent years, but virtually none of that has come from our exporters due to the restrictions they face in trading with Cuba.”

“Cuba is a natural market for IDFA members, and we look forward to further opening that market for U.S. dairy products,” said Connie Tipton, president and CEO of IDFA.

Among the speakers who introduced the new coalition were a list of lawmakers from a variety of states, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and representatives from a number of the organizations who are part of the new group. “Today we gather to discuss an expanded opportunity for American agriculture – our farmers and our ranchers,” said Vilsack. “Allow them to expand business opportunities in a country just 90 miles from our border – Cuba.” Secretary Vilsack at US Ag Coalition for Cuba kickoff