News from the House Agriculture Committee

http://agriculture.house.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 30, 2010



House Agriculture Committee Approves Historic Legislation to Expand Agriculture Trade with Cuba

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the House Agriculture Committee passed legislation to expand U.S. agriculture trade and increase jobs,
approving historic legislation that will greatly expand trade of U.S. agriculture products to Cuba.

H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, is a bipartisan bill introduced by Chairman Peterson and
co-sponsored by 62 Members of Congress, including Representatives Jerry Moran of Kansas. The bill passed the Committee by a vote of
25-20.

"I am proud to say that today, the House Agriculture Committee took a courageous vote to end the short-sighted and failed policy
that limits American agriculture's access to the Cuban market." Chairman Peterson said. "An unprecedented coalition of agriculture,
business, religious and social organizations have endorsed H.R. 4645, and today's vote demonstrates that Congress is ready to change
our nation's approach on this issue."

Approximately 140 groups have expressed strong support for H.R. 4645, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Farmers
Union, American Farm Bureau Federation, and Human Rights Watch. The House Agriculture Committee also received a letter signed by
more than 70 pro-democracy Cuban leaders that strongly encouraged passage of H.R. 4645.

"This legislation is the right policy at the right time," Chairman Peterson said. "We have tried to isolate Cuba for more than fifty
years, and it has not worked. As it has in other countries, perhaps increasing trade with Cuba will encourage democratic progress."

During today's business meeting the Committee also approved three other measures by voice vote. A brief summary of each measure is
included below.

H.R. 2476, the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2009, amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to
require the term and acreage of permits for the operation of ski areas and associated facilities (under current law, for the
operation of nordic and alpine ski areas and facilities) on National Forest System lands to be governed by provisions under the Act
relating to such permits and other applicable law.

H.R. 4658, the Benton MacKaye Cherokee National Forest Lane Consolidation Act, authorizes the conveyance of a small parcel of
National Forest System land in the Cherokee National Forest and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to use the proceeds from
that conveyance to acquire a parcel of land for inclusion in that national forest, and for other purposes.

H.R. 5414, provides for the conveyance of a small parcel of National Forest system land in the Francis Marion National Forest in
South Carolina, and for other purposes.

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The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture web site http://agriculture.house.gov has additional information on this and other subjects.