Ill. Corn Growers want to expand trade with Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

Ill. Corn Growers want to expand trade with Cuba
The Associated Press May 6, 2014
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Illinois Corn Growers Association wants President Barack Obama to expand trade opportunities between the U.S. and Cuba.

In a statement Monday, the Bloomington-based organization says Cuba's location makes it an "excellent opportunity for Illinois commodity and food products." That's because the country is located close enough to southern U.S. ports for barge travel. But the corn growers say federal restrictions on financial dealings with Cuba make doing business difficult.

Gary Hudson is the association's president. He says Illinois ranks sixth nationwide in lost trade opportunities because of the financial and travel restrictions.

The association is part of the Illinois Cuba Working Group, which the General Assembly formed in 2013.Among other things, the organization is asking Obama to establish an agricultural trade office in Cuba.

http://www.bnd.com/2014/05/06/3194803/ill-corn-growers-want-to-expand.html#storylink=cpy

[Bacchus4.0]

1. sounds good, I'd want full payment in US dollars for the corn. n/t

[Daniel537]

2. I really like the idea of an agricultural trade office.

Sounds like the type of thing that can get the ball rolling in normalizing relations, at least economically.