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AFBF President Bob Stallman co-chaired a National Summit on Cuba, Sept. 17, designed to show bipartisan support for normalizing trade relations with the island nation.

"This summit brought together many congressional leaders from both parties and a diverse group of other participants who support lifting the embargo," Stallman said. "It showed that this isn't a political issue. It's about building a new relationship that will make American farmers and the Cuban people better off."

AFBF opposes all embargoes on agricultural products, and Stallman told the federal, state and local government leaders; human rights and trade advocates; and Cuban Americans who gathered for the summit that "embargoes are wrong philosophically, morally and economically. [They] punish America's farmers, not foreign governments."

In addition to helping U.S. farmers and ranchers move more product, Stallman said lifting the embargo will help move America's ideas and ideals.

"We will open markets and we will open minds," Stallman added. "Just as the trumpets of trade blew down the Berlin Wall, trade can build the 100-mile bridge to understanding, prosperity and peace with Cuba."

Although the U.S. embargo has been in place for four decades, it has failed to produce democracy in Cuba. Supporters of lifting the embargo say it's time for a new approach--engagement.

The day-long summit was held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. It was followed by a day of lobbying by Cuban Americans who support lifting the U.S. embargo.

Under a law Congress passed in 2000, sales of food and medicine to Cuba are now allowed, and Cuba is expected to buy up to $100 million worth of U.S. farm goods this year. But, Cuba has had to come up with cash on the barrelhead for its purchases, and U.S. exporters have been hindered in negotiating the buys, because of financing and travel restrictions still in place. Legislation now working its way through Congress would prevent the federal government from enforcing those restrictions and open the way for more U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba.

This coming spring, Ohio Farm Bureau will participate in a study mission to Cuba to gain better understanding of the opportunities that may grow for Americans and Cubans alike.