June 25, 1999

The American Farm Bureau Federation told the Senate Banking Committee that unilateral sanctions on agricultural exports must end. They don't harm the target country in the least, and U.S. competitors "rub their hands with glee" when ag sanctions are imposed.

Competitors are "quick to expand their sales and take over the U.S. share in these foreign markets" when sanctions are imposed, said Andrew Whisenhunt, AFBF board member and president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation. "Moreover, U.S. producers are branded unreliable suppliers and lose access to important markets for decades."

U.S. producers have been denied access to five export markets due to unilateral economic sanctions: Iran, Libya, Cuba, Sudan and North Korea, he noted. AFBF officials went to Cuba, he added, and found it was "very apparent the Castro regime has had an oppressive effect on the Cuban economy. It was also strikingly obvious, however, that U.S. sanctions on this tiny island have not had any impact on ending Castro's influence."

He added, "We believe that opening trading systems around the world and open engagement with our trading partners are the most effective means of achieving international harmony and economic stability."