VALLEY DELEGATION OPTIMISTIC AFTER CUBA TRIP
By Dale Yurong
Tuesday, April 07, 2015 04:00PM
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Valley farmers were part of a trade delegation
which just returned from Cuba. Assemblyman Henry T. Perea (D) Fresno was
optimistic trade restrictions will be lifted. He said the four-day trip
helped develop relationships with policymakers.
Cuba has been described as a country lost in time. But a shift in US
policy could signal major changes.
Perea explained, "This new announcement by President Obama about moving
towards normalizing US-Cuban relations has created a lot of hope and
excitement."
The chair of the Assembly agriculture committee was part of the trade
delegation which included lawmakers and valley farmers.
Local citrus, almond and tree fruit growers were excited about the
potential Cuba holds. The country imports 80% of its food.
Perea said, "Most of the food that they import comes from Europe and
China. They want California produce because they think it will be
cheaper, because we're closer and because it's better quality."
Mickey Paggi heads Fresno State's Institute for Food and Agriculture. He
also made the trip.
The Obama administration seeks to re-open diplomatic relations with Cuba
but the marketplace can't open up without congressional approval.
Paggi said, "It's going to be a difficult thing to develop quickly or
substantially in the short run."
Travel restrictions to Cuba may have been loosened but trade
restrictions remain.
Paggi said, "US banks cannot do business with Cuba so that's part of the
embargo. You have to work through a third country. That's why our credit
cards can't be used."
Tough battles though lie ahead as many House republicans have been
opposed to normalizing relations with Cuba.
Source: Valley delegation optimistic after Cuba trip | abc30.com -
http://abc30.com/news/valley-delegation-optimistic-after-cuba-trip/639438/
No comments:
Post a Comment