As part of U.S. President Barack Obama's historic visit to Cuba, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made an announcement that sows the seeds for increased trade ties and research in farming.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) would allow 22 industry-funded research and promotion programs and 18 marketing order organizations to conduct authorized research and information exchange activities with Cuba.

These groups, which are responsible for creating bonds with consumers and businesses around the world in support of U.S. agriculture, will be able to engage in cooperative research and information exchanges with Cuba about agricultural productivity, food security and sustainable natural resource management.

Vilsack described the announcement as a "significant step forward in strengthening our bond and broadening agricultural trade between the United States and Cuba".

During their bilateral meeting today, Secretary Vilsack and Cuban Minster of Agriculture Gustavo Rodriguez Rollero are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes a framework for sharing ideas and research between the two countries.

Secretary Vilsack has also invited Minister Rodriguez to take part in a visit to one of USDA's Climate Sub Hubs in Puerto Rico in late May, where researchers are studying the effects of climate change in the subtropical region and strategies for mitigating these effects.

"Recognizing the importance of agriculture in the United States and Cuba, USDA is advancing a new partnership for the 21st century between our two countries," said Vilsack.

"U.S. producers are eager to help meet Cuba's need for healthy, safe, nutritious food. Research and Promotion and Marketing Order Programs have a long history of conducting important research that supports producers by providing information about a commodity's nutritional benefits and identifying new uses for various commodities.

The agreements we reached with our Cuban counterparts on this historic trip, and the ability for our agriculture sector leaders to communicate with Cuban businesses, will help U.S. agricultural interests better understand the Cuban market, while also providing the Cuban people with science-based information as they grow their own agriculture sector."

The USDA will review all proposed Research and Promotion Board and Marketing Order activities related to Cuba to ensure that they are consistent with existing laws. Examples of activities that may take place include the following:

• Provide nutritional research and guidance, as well as participate with the Cuban government and industry officials, at meetings regarding nutrition and related Cuban rules and regulations.
• Conduct plate waste study research in schools to determine what kids eat and what they discard, leading to improved nutritional information that helps develop the guidance for school meal requirements, ensuring kids are getting adequate nutrition to be successful in school.
• Provide U.S. based market, consumer, nutrition and environmental research findings to Cuban government and industry officials.
• Research commodities' role in a nutritious diet that improves health or lowers the risk of chronic diseases.
• Study the efficacy of water disinfectants to eliminate/inactivate bacteria on commodities.
• Test recipes and specific products amongst Cuban consumers of all ages, with the goal of increasing product development and acceptance.
• Conduct consumer tracking studies to measure attitudes when it comes to a specific commodity and consumption and to identify consumer groups based on their behavior, attitudes, and purchasing habits for a particular commodity.

While most U.S. commercial activities are prohibited, the Trade Sanctions Reform Act (TSRA) of 2000 permits the export of U.S. agricultural commodities, though U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba are limited by U.S. restrictions on government export assistance, cash payments, and extending credit.

Photo: Nigel Pacquette, via Wikimedia Commons

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