P. Scott Shearer, Vice President

June 27, 2016

1 Min Read
Amendment allows private credit for ag exports to Cuba

Private sector banks and companies will be able to offer credit for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba with the adoption of an amendment by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The amendment was attached to the fiscal year ‘17 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations legislation. The amendment by Sens. John Boozman (R-AR) and Jon Tester (D-MT) would lift the current ban on private banks and companies offering credit for agricultural exports to Cuba.

U.S. agriculture has found itself at a distinct disadvantage compared to its competitors who offer credit to Cuba. The U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba reminded the Senate that as recently as 2008 the United States was exporting $700 million in agricultural products to Cuba annually. In 2015, U.S. sales were under $200 million. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

About the Author(s)

P. Scott Shearer

Vice President, Bockorny Group, Inc.

Scott Shearer is vice president of the Bockorny Group Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C. With more than 30 years experience in government and corporate relations in state and national arenas, he is recognized as a leader in agricultural trade issues, having served as co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority. Scott was instrumental in the passage of China Permanent Normal Trade Relations and TPA. He is past chairman of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products and was a member of the USAID Food Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Bockorny Group, Scott served as director of national relations for Farmland Industries Inc., as well as USDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (1993-96), serving as liaison for the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to Congress.

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